Argosy, Vol. 123, No. 2 — page 133: what you’re looking at

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

THE CARAVAN by the horses, and still others by the unlit flares. : The trap was set. Edith, as she made her way to the hold, saw Abbas, lantern in hand, talking to one of the groups of men. He looked at her keenly but seeing the figure of a native shadowing her, was content to call out: “You don’t forget me, Abbas Abad. You watch for me, yes, by Allah!” With a sigh of relief the girl gained the semigloom of the room under the tower. In her absence a lantern had been brought to the Tartar on guard—a broad Mongol wearing a round black hat, a bandolier of cartridges over his shoulder. Beside him Donovan leaned against the table. Edith advanced toward the ladder slowly, wondering how the armed sentry was to be dealt with. Donovan must be freed. It was for that she had come to the room. : : Apparently the prisoner had not~noticed her; but ‘his eyes had quickened and he stood with both feet planted firmly on the floor. Here, however, was a situation that Aravang felt himself competent to master without any assistance. He grinned and seated himself on the sizable packing-case on which the Tartar loafed. The man scanned him with some sus- picion and without making room for the burly native. Edith paused, holding her breath. She saw Aravang turn toward the guard as if to say something. The man stared at him from slant, cruel eyes that widened and started from their sockets as a steel-like hand flew up and closed about his throat. No cry was“uttered. Aravang still sat on the box. But in his two hands he held the writhing Tartar helpless. Releasing one hand, Aravang thrust the other’s bulletlike head against the stone wall. There was a dull crack, and the fig- . ure of the guard slumped upon the box. “Some one is coming,” said Donovan quietly, first in English, then in Turki. Ara- vang stood up with knotted hands, as if pre- pared to face and conquer new enemies for the sake of his mistress. Edith, however, had seen Monsey and a party of his men walking toward the tower. OF THE DEAD 265 Urgent need spurred the girl’s aroused wit. She could explain nothing to Aravang. Instead, she sprang forward, turned over the box and pointed into its empty depths. . - Donovan caught her purpose at once, and barked a short command at Aravang. Their powerful friend moved slowly, but with two motions of his great arms he had lifted the unconscious sentry from the floor where the men had slipped into the box. Then he turned the box right side up, over the body. Yet not before Edith had pulled the ban- dolier from the Tartar’s shoulder, and the round cap from his head. She stripped off Aravang’s heavy woolen hat and flung it into a corner, planting the Tartar’s cap in its place and the cartridge-belt over his arm. Meanwhile Aravang picked up the rifle, which he handled clumsily—not being ac- customed to possession of such modern weapons. - Edith faced about as Monsey strode into the door, flung her a quick glance, and moved toward Donovan. ‘““T can spare only a moment,” the Rus- sian smiled. ‘‘ But after I have kept an appointment with the Sayaks I intend to return ’—he broke off. ‘‘ Where is the other guard?” 3 He looked quickly from Donovan: to the | girl. His men watched from the doorway. Aravang, not understanding, was mute. Before Donovan could speak, Edith an- swered. ‘“ Ask Abbas,” she said. ‘ He wants me to wait for him—after your appointment.” “The devil!” “T think he is,” Edith smiled. Knowing Abbas, Monsey did not ques- tion her. And then there was the dull re- port of a rifle from the plateau. The Tar- tars stirred uneasily. ‘“ Announcing our visitors,’”’ observed Monsey. He felt Donovan’s bonds, mut- tering that he liked to be sure of his re- ception when he called again. ‘One can never be too sure,” nodded Donovan affably. : The Russian ordered the girl curtly up the ladder to the tower. ‘“ And no tricks, my lady.” Edith obeyed with surprising readiness, After glancing around and mak- Co JOO im SS CO