Adventure, December 3, 1920 — page 158: what you’re looking at

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

148 Panting, Fandi Singh stooped over, took the knife from Death’s hand and cut us loose. Our first thought was for McAuliffe. I held him, while Kilgore fed him a few drops of sal- vaged liquor. he groaned as I straightened him up. Then we had it out. “Missed the confounded boat,” said Fandi Singh, laughing happily, “and a good job I did, too!- Five minutes too late. They would have taken me out in a launch to her, but I “= refused. Fate was in it. | “Yes, yes,’ him.” “T came back to the square, meaning to wait there for Day to come. I got there in time to see his meeting with James Death, and I watched. When Death slipped away, I followed him. He went through the bushes to Post Street and got into a taxicab. So I hired another and away we went—straight out Post to the Japanese quarter. “Then I knew what he was up to, and I came here. You were gone. I went over to Day’s house, found it deserted except for an old man who said Day had paid him to——” I brokein. “Goahead. I hired “I dismissed him,” and the Rajput smiled. “Then I went to Death’s room and settled down to watch this place. At three o’clock James Death came down the street, walking, alone. I was suspicious that Japs would come after him, so I waited. He went straight into the house as if knowing it to be empty. I had no arms of any sort, and I decided to await your return. When you came back, a man was walking down the street—a Jap. I stayed to watch him, but he went on and never looked back. Meantime, you had gone into the house. I saw Death and Day go in together, as I left Day’s house. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a gun in the garage, so I had to come in and do what I could.” “You took a devilish long time about it,” I rejoined. ‘Feeling better, Mac? Look what your Rajput did to Death—brained him with that bottle of Scotch! This puts Mr. Death out of the game for keeps.” Mac felt his sore head, looked at the débris on the floor and groaned. “Losh, what an awfw’ waste o’ good whusky!” Presently his eyes opened and ° Adventure We all laughed at that, a little shakily, per- haps. Then Kilgore looked at me. “Well, Day! The Japs have got word of this thing from Death. They know noth- ing definite but they suspect; they’ll be after us, I imagine. Want to throw in with us and go to China?” “Why the devil did you put it that way?” I grunted. ‘I don’t, but I will, Not tomorrow, though; ‘you fellows are too cursed hasty. I want a chance to see my mother.” Kilgore nodded. “Allright. Tell you what. You sent her to a mountain hotel, didn’t you? Well, go there yourself for a fortnight. Meet us at the China Mail dock three weeks from yesterday; there’s a boat direct to Tientsin then. Look it up and meet us at the dock. We'll attend to everything, ticket and so forth. Suit you?” “Can do,” I replied. “What about this?” and I touched the body of Death with my foot. “Let him go to join Hat Shui, the messenger of the Ten. We'll manage him.” Thus it was arranged. Kilgore also under- took to satisfy the police. Tomorrow my period of rest and relaxation is up, and I am glad. Tomorrow I start back for the city, to meet my three friends at the China Mail boat. Not that I hanker for the Gobi, but I would hanker for hell with three such companions as those. Besides, the monotony up here is deadly, and there is a fool woman who tries to make eyes at me. Aunt Nora told her I was an adven- turer or something. So I'll be glad to get away for a bit and stretch my legs, even in the Gobi. To kill time, I’ve written down here just what happened over across the bay. You may hot believe it, but I don’t care about that. You can call me a liar when I’m in China, and you'll be safe enough. If I meet up with the three, and we do make that temple of the Ten Dromedaries, and get back, then just wait! What kind of a liar will you call me then? Not much, I guess, for I’ll be right here-on the spot, and if there are any names called you’ll hear from C. Day! — W’ al salaam, as the Arabs say, there ends’ the matter! eel chook (C@) (C@)