Argosy, Vol. 123, No. 1 — page 121: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE CARAVAN John Campbell Donovan?” His hard eyes read her easily. ‘‘ Captain Donovan—in Yahka Arik, alive.” For a moment he considered this, intent- ‘ly. Then he laughed. “Why, it is fate itself, my beautiful lady. No, not that. It is my luck, my good luck. So, you found a lover waiting in that Sayak pest-hole?” Edith had mastered her impulse of anger as quickly as it came. She wrapped her arms in the end of the shawl seating herself on the box, her back to Monsey. , “A beggarly Englishman, with a hiown beard, if he has not shaved it? Yes, that is Donovan, the adventurer who has allied himself with the outlaw tribes, and without doubt, shares in the spoils of their brigan- dage—-since they have made him a chief—” “T don’t believe you.” “Then you will see for yourself.” He surveyed her, somewhat uncertainly, for he saw that the girl had changed greatly since Srinagar. ‘‘ Look here, Edith: you should not quarrel with me. I came _ because Arthur Rand sent me. I have made that known in Kashgar, and the Sayak spies have carried the news to their murderer’s nest. By now Donovan will have guessed that you are with me. And you will see how he conducts-himself against the agent of your father.” Edith shook her head mutely, her faith in Donovan still strong, but Monsey smiled. “* My luck holds. A few hours, and we will see the last act of this little play. I want you to be a witness.” Monsey had begun to pace the room. His brown face had been reddened by ex- posure to the sun; the lines of his jaw were obscure by fat; his heavy mustache fell over the corners of his mouth. The eyes, revealing a network of red veins and set too close together, were prone to wander. This was the only indication of the hasheesh he used. His powerful figure swelled under the short black coat with its astrakan collar. He had grown stouter, more gross. His former careful politeness had altered to an overbearing intimacy. The mask had fallen now that he no longer needed a mask. Monsey halted as Abbas stepped into OF THE DEAD, 1k the room without knocking. When the two had spoken, briefly, he turned to Edith. ‘“* Horsemen have been seen in the passes around here. I fancy the Sayaks mean to invade the privacy of my abode.” Edith did not reveal the quickened hope that his words aroused. She had learned by experience to judge the events that thronged into this new world. And she rea- soned that Monsey expected this to happen. Otherwise, why was he not disturbed? Presently, with a glance at Abbas, he went out, carrying the holster and belt with him. For some time he had not taken the drug that he now needed at regular inter- vals. Abbas came nearer at once and peered into the girl’s face. He tried to take the shawl from her shoulders, but she would not let him. ““ Missy khanum,” the Alaman whispered. in very bad English, “‘ you come with me, sometime? Oh, yas, by God!” He pointed after.Monsey. “Not him no. Me, I, Abbas Abad, Alaman, kum dan! I give you—your fadder, for verree small paying —yes.” Edith shook her head, somewhat wearily. Abbas stepped back as Monsey appeared silently in the door. The Russian surveyed him suspiciously. Abbas grinned widely as he saw the other’s hand move toward the revolver in his belt. “Excellency,” he observed in Turki, “would you threaten your slave? Nay, it is not the part of wisdom. Besides, a thrown knife is swift—as you know.” “This is not your place.” ‘““Ah. Yet I came here to sleep.” He yawned and went to the mattress, upon which he flung his fat body with a grunt. Monsey scowled. “Those are my blankets.” The Alaman closed his eyes. ‘ And the hasheesh, my excellency? That is mine and not yours. If you need some, presently, I would not want to deny you. Nay, I must sleep now.” Soon he began to snore, with an open mouth. Edith noticed, however, that when- ever there was a noise outside the teak- wood room Abbas ceased snoring. Monsey had seated himself near her and tried to take her hand. CO LOOOLK (©