Part 22 (1/2)

English can be as weirdly distorted as wire, or any other supple medium, and native levies advance distortion to the point of art; but the language sounds no less good in the chilly glooht

Followed another wait, this time of half an hour Then acarelessly Not far behind hian to whistle Annie Laurie

”Charles? That you?” called King

”That you, old ht He was so nearly the i that Ismail and Darya Khan stood up and stared Athelstan strode to le, line for line, they ht have been one man and his shadow, except for three-quarters of an inch of stature

”Glad to see you, old man,” said Athelstan

”Sure, old chap!” said Charles; and they shook hands

”What's the desperate proposal?” asked the younger

”I'll tell you e are alone”

His brother nodded and stood a step aside The three who had taken the note to the fort came closer-partly to call attention to themselves, partly to claihtened them They elbowed Ise blow in the stomach by way of retort from Ismail Before that spark could start an explosion Athelstan interfered

”Ismail! Take two men Go down the Pass out of car-shot, and keep watch! Coers between his teeth and blew until the night shrilled back at hi and started to obey

”Leave that bag Leave it, I say!”

”But some man may steal it, sahib How shall a thief know there is no o!”

Is turned on Darya Khan

”Take the reo up the Pass!” he ordered ”Stand out of ear-shot and keep watch Come when I whistle!”

”But this one has a belly ache where Isuard? Hiswill betray both him and o!” co was careful now not to show his bracelet

But there was soestive so than a pistol or a stick Darya Khan thrust his rifle-end into the hurt ement and started off into the ht!” he snarled

In aand his brother stood unseen, unheard in the shadow by a patch of silver ht Athelstan sat down on the er ”Tell e back there They sawback”

Athelstan nodded ”Good!” he said ”I've a roving commission I'm ordered to enter Khinjan Caves”