Part 2 (1/2)
”Magnetisuess NOT!”
”It struck about where the Ting-Pa was broken and seemed dran like the rays,” I said
”Purposeful,” Drake said ”And devilish It hit on all my nerves like a--like a ence behind that”
”Intelligence? Drake--what intelligence could break the rays of the setting sun and suck down the aurora?”
”I don't know,” he answered
”Devils,” croaked Chiu-Ming ”The devils that defied Buddha--and have grown strong--”
”Like a metal claw!” breathed Drake
Far to the west a sound caed wailing, a crackling A great light flashed through the , the vast rushi+ng, the retreating whisper
Then silence and darkness dropped embraced upon the valley of the blue poppies
CHAPTER II THE SIGIL ON THE ROCKS
Dawn came Drake had slept well But I, who had not his youthful resiliency, lay for long, awake and uneasy I had hardly sunk into troubled slumber before daakened me
As we breakfasted, I approached directly thatdesire
”Drake,” I asked ”Where are you going?”
”With you,” he laughed ”I'ht to have soet away”
The idea seemed to appall him
”Fine!” I exclai of striking over the range soon to the Manasarowar Lakes
There's a curious flora I'd like to study”
”Anywhere you say suits me,” he answered
We clasped hands on our partnershi+p and soon ere on our way to the valley's western gate; our united caravans stringing along behind us
Mile after ht of day their breath of vague terror was dissipated
There was no place for mystery nor dread under this floor of brilliant sunshi+ne The s sapphire floor rolled ever on before us
Whispering little playful breezes flen the slopes to gossip for aflowers Flocks of rose finches raced chattering overhead to quarrel with the tiny arblers, the chi-u-teb-tok, holding fief of the drooping, graceful bowers bending down to the little laughing strealed like a friendly water baby beside us