Adventure Magazine Cover — page 142: what you’re looking at

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

132 annoyance. The prince came in person to pay a ceremonial call of congratulation, and Drake returned from the city with more flowers and messages. Wheeler welcomed the wedding preparations that diverted their attention for a time. EM prince in the captain’s cabin of the *" Bellé of Nippon only an hour before she sailed. The bridal party was aboard, bag and baggage, and attended the rather im- posing ceremonies of the transfer of the gems to the priests of the temple—the two companions of the prince. He, as well as they, was in the priestly robes of white. One of the bearded Brahmins carried an object covered with a piece of embroidered white satin. Before asking Drake tor the gems, the prince said: “In order that no harm may befall any one, let me ask: You have been careful to have the two stones conveyed by separate persons?” The party behind Drake exchanged glances of dismay that were fixed in aston- ishment when Drake answered: “Yes, your Highness. They have never been in the possession of one man but once— and then only for a few moments.” “And not by his will?” the prince asked seriously. “‘Who was that person?” “Dan Wheeler.” After a quick look at Dan, whose face was stunned blank, the prince smiled slightly. “Tt is well. His eyes are green, and he is under the protection. You will now deliver them one at a time.” Drake took the roll from his pocket, the little casket from the roll—opened it and held out the little box, in which the gem flared with a piercing brilliance. One of the priests—the one with empty hands—came forward and after a profound obeisance took the gem from the box care- fully, and held it out to the other Brahmin. That one removed the satin cover from a gold circlet with two empty settings, placed the gem in one, where it was held firmly in place, and covered the circlet with the satin once more. The first priest turned back to Drake, who held out his hand to Dan. “Let me take the gun,” he whispered. In a daze Wheeler drew out and handed to Drake the beautiful Colt that had not THE Twins were delivered to the Adventure once been out of his possession since he had got it. Drake took from his pocket a thin key, which fitted the head of the screw holding together the two cheek-pieces of the grip— the handle of the weapon. One of these removed—the mate to the first gem shone clear and sparkling in its pocket inside the spring. Drake detached and gave it to the priest, who repeated his deliberate move- ments. As soon as the two gems were in position, in the settings made to duplicate those in the home temple where they belonged and where they were finally to rest, their rays seemed more than to double their blinding brilliance. They shot a fiery gleam that flared and brightened through all the range of colors from deep green to lightning blue. The gold circlet was placed in its casket and taken away to be put in the ship’s safe. Not until then did the prince say— “The Twins are proved, and the price is ready.” He produced three packets of Bank-of- England notes; gave one to Drake, one to Lu Yan and one to Wheeler. “What do I do with this?” Dan looked at Drake with hostile sus- picion in his eye. “Tt is yours,” said the prince, answering for Drake—who smiled behind his hand. He wanted to see what Dan would do when royalty tried to shove him around. Dan looked at the prince, and the hostility faded from his face. But all that Drake heard the youth say as he pressed the packet back into Dan’s hand was— “Tt is your duty—it is so ordered.” To the surprize of all, Wheeler pocketed the notes without another word; even re- sponded to the prince’s smile with his own little flicker of a half-grin that so brightened his rather cruel features. The good-bys had to be cut short. Bren- don, however, made an effort to get a promise out of Wheeler. “You are coming to Brendon Court just as soon as we get home—don’t forget that.” His lordship held to Dan’s hand. “You promise?” “Tf I can get away.” ‘“‘No—no ifs or buts. You are coming or I come after you.” “And I with him,” her ladyship put in. “T will show you a whole lot of people— cCoOmiclook S co iin