Argosy, Vol. 123, No. 2 — page 126: what you’re looking at

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258 Abbas behind her. For this reason she did not see, across the ravine, a horseman rid- ing at full gallop along the cliff path toward the south, away from Yahka Arik. It was a native, his long cloak fluttering, bending close to the horse and riding as no one but a hill-bred native could ride. And she heard nothing because, although the opposite cliff was within easy rifle range, Monsey had given strict orders to his sentries not to shoot until he gave the order so that the firing might not reveal the secret of the trap he had set so cleverly with the assis- tanee of Abbas. CHAPTER XXXI. MONSEY SHOWS HIS CARDS. RICKETY table had been drawn against the wall of the teakwood room. On two boxes, facing each other across this table, sat John Donovan ani Monsey. A guard stood at the door. I!.car the stove Edith had seated ee with Abbas at her side. “And so you want to know what I am doing with this woman in the castle?”’ Mon- sey stroked his mustache complacently and surveyed his visitor. Donovan had hardly looked at Edith. He sat erect, hands clasped over crossed knees. He had been released from the bandage, and his tranquil gaze searched the opposite wall, without in the least attempting to watch his enemy. “Well, I’ will tell you.”’ Monsey rested solid shoulders against the teakwood, his nervous hand straying about the revolver- holster. ‘It’s none of your damn busi- ness.” . Lower lip thrust out, eyes narrowed, he surveyed Donovan. Monsey also had guessed that his enemy had come to the kurgan hoping that he would not be recog- nized. ‘‘ Suppose,” ventured Donovan, choosing his speech with care, “I should make it so?”’ ‘Oh, fine words. and what you want.” He smiled, hoping to hear Donovan lie. It rather grieved the Russian that the other had shown no surprise at seeing him. Mon- Tell me who you are THE ARGOSY. sey had fancied his visitor would be startled, afraid. So he struck his hand on his thigh loudly and raised his voice. ‘I tell you, I dm master here.” Donovan shook his fair head ever so slightly, seemed to be about to answer, then thought better of it. His reticence an- noyed Monsey, whose nerves were none of . the best after a sleepless night. “ Really?” remarked Donovan at length. ‘The sooner you understand that, the better for you, I say. And you’d do well to be civil. and what is your business here?” Monsey’s tone showed his disappoint- ment at the talk. He had expected to over- bear and cow the man. who had walked into his stronghold. Donovan, slender, clean-shaven, dressed in clothing obviously cut once upon a time by a good tailor, although now much washed and darned, looked very slight beside the heavier man. His was the self-possession of good breed- ing and the calmness of one who through long contact with the Orient has acquired the impersonal fatalism of this other world. ‘“T intend to marry this woman,” he said. ‘IT have come for my wife.” For the first time he looked Edith in the face, and her eyes flew to his. Mon- sey stared, his mouth opening slightly. “Marry?” He saw his chance to touch Donovan. “Ch, I suppcse you must, after—” ‘If she consents.”’ Donovan was still looking at the girl. When she would have spoken, Abbas shook her shoulder. At this the visitor’s eyes hardened, although his face did not change. Meanwhile Monsey had tired of trying to play with his victim. ‘“Qh, youre a very clever gentleman, Mr. Donovan Khan. I’ve heard that you have an uncle who is a minister of God and a father who is a knight. They’ll be proud of you—when they learn you have joined company with infidels and the scum of Yahka Arik. You didn’t think I knew you, but Miss Rand told me all about you.” ‘““T didn’t mean -to,” the girl cried, de- spite Abbas’s warning mutter. Donovan raised his brows. ‘““My father is dead.” He faced Mon- comiclboool Now, once more, who are you C@