The Washington times., 1905-11-26
CHAPTER xL
The Hunt and the Kin.


We reached cur rooms. meeting ~
one in the passage. and there made our
preparations. First we changed our
festaI robes for those warmer garments
IN which we had Travelled to the city OF
kaioon. Then we ate and drank what
We could OF the victuals which stood IN
the antechHmber. not knowing when We
should find more food, and filed two
satcheiss such as these people sling
about their shoulders, With the remains
OF the meat and liquor and a few neces-
sarfes- Also. we strapped our big hunt
ing knives about our middIes and. armed
ourselves with short spears that xsrs
made for the stabbing Of game.
Perhaps be has laid q plot to muir
der US, and we may az well defend our
selves while we can" suggested Leo.
I nodded. for the echoes of tn.
Khan's last laugh still rang in my ears.
1t was very evil laugh.
Likely enough" I said. I do not
trust that insane brute. Still, he wishes
to be rid OF u.s.
Yes. but as he said. I've men may
return, whereas the dead DO not.
"Atene thinks otherwise com
mented.
And yet she threatened US with
death" answered Leo
0CNa4SE Sn4E3E ana OGGEtCA
make her mad" I replied. after which
we were silent
Presently the door opened. ana
through it came the Khan. mtiA Jed In
a great cloak as though to disguise
himself.
Come" he said, s1f you are ready
Then catching sight OF the spears We
held. he added: You will not need
those things. You do not go a-hunt-
ing"
NO." Z answered. but who can say
we might be hunted"
IF you believe that perhaDs Won
had best stay where you are tin the
Khania wearies Of yellow beard snd
opens the gates for you," he replied.
cycling me with his cunning glance.
Il think not, I said, and we started.
the Khan leading the way and notion
ing US to be silent
We passed through the empty rooms
onto the veranda. and from the veran-
IA down into the courtyard, where he
whispered to US to keep in the shadow.
For the moon shone very clearly that
night, 50 clearly. remember, that I
could see the grass which grew be-
tween the joints Of the pavement, ana
the little shadows thrown by each
separate blade upon the worn surface
/ of It's stones. Now I wondered how
we should pass the gate. for there ,
guard was stationed. which had OF late
been doubled by order OF the Khznis.
But this gate we left upon our right,
taking a path that led into the great
/ walled garden. where Rsssen brought
us to a door hidden behind cIump oe
shrubs, which he unlocked with key
| he carried.
Now we were outside the palace wall.
and our road ran past the kennels As
we went by these. the great. sIeepless
death hounds, that wandered 20 and fro
ike prowling lions. caught our wind and
hurst into a sudden chorus OF terrific
bavs. I shivered at the sound, for
il was fearful in that silence. also ]
thought that 1t would arouse the keep
ers- But the Khan went to the bazz
and showed himself. wherein the brutss.
which knew him, ceased their noise.
Fear not" he said, as he returne4.
| ..the huntsmen know that they are
starved tonight. for tomorrow certain
| criminals will be thrown 70 them
Now We had reached the palace gates.
Here the Khan babe US hide In an arcA-
way and departed. We Locked at each
other, for the same thought was IN both
our ninds-that he had gone to fetch
the murderers who were TO make "a
end OF US. But In this we did hin
wrong. for presently we heard the sound
Of horses hoOfs upon the stones, ana
he returned leading the two white steeds
| that Atene had given US.
II saddled them with my own banda
he whispered Who can do more %
speed the parting guest2 Now mount.
hide your faces in your cioaks as d.
| and follow me-
So we mounted. sFS he trotted oefore
| Us IKE a running footmau, $50 as the
! great lords OF KalOOn employed when
1 they went about their business or thslE
tContinued on Page Il. this secsiea,