The Washington times., 1911-08-05

prospect of winning the bet
grew fainter. Each day we
hoped that some travelling tribes
man would turn up who was
familiar with the country. and who
could be induced to escort us to the
lamasery of Tad-sa-fuh for a proper re-
enumeration. But the thing We desired
did not happen; at least not then; and
when 1t did, the fellow positively re-
FUSED to have anything to do with US
1t was impossible to understand his
behavior. AT first he was eager enough
70 enter our service; but when he heard
where We were going, nothing would In
duce him to listen He would not
terry was. He had heard that there
was such a plaCe-he had also heard
that it was impossible to reach-and
then inconsistently added that all were
put to death who got there.
There was something about the mans
behavior that made us believe he knew
more than he would tell That he
knew the way, but that there was some
ulterfor motive that made him refuse
to act as our guide, we felt assured.
One evening Gwynne found himself
upon more confidential terms with the
Englishmen. 1t is possible that they
those attitudes It is literally taken by
the drop, and that they became more
genial. At all events, we talked late
and smoked more pipes than usual.
F6nCnuTCn was leaning over JIlG luOle
consulting an army map of the coun-
try which he had just taken from his
pocket. Chumley was looking over his
shoulder.
"All 1 can say is. wish we were
there said the younger man, return
ing to his seat by the fire.
It was the first intImation we had
that they wanted to get anywhere In
particular. Gwynne blew the ashes
from his pipe and drawled with seeming
indifference:
"Where?"
"Tad-sa-fuh," answered Chumley.
WHO the devil is Tad-sa-fuh?" asked
Ewynne with a yawn.
its a place. not a devil. though l
shouldn't be surprised If there were lots
of devils there" answered the other;
Gwynne was hard at work with his
Name of a mountain. 1 suppose" re-
marked Gwynpe with growing apathy.
well, no. not exactly; another OF
these internal religious madhouses. By
the by. speaking of the Ya-u woman
she's not in it with the ladies of the
Tad-sa-fuh!'
you're a little mysterious. Mr.. Chum--
ley. What do you mean by ladies oil
the Tad-sa- -fuhT'
the bowl of his pipe. Somehow, 1t
didn't quite suit him.
"Oh, it's queer story and long one.
Sky-pilot and his wife both died up
them-girls. That's years ago-Srown
up now The story leaked down through
the hills to Srinagar-and-well, Fen
church and are onto 1t, that's all.
"And where did you say this Tad
fuzzy place holds forth?' asked Roedler
indifferently.
"Ahn That's the question:" Clipped in
Fenchur1h. That's what bothers US.
It's here, . course"-he tapped the map
with his pe.Icil-''but how to get there.
It's the most remote, the most inacCess-
ible monastery in the whole Of Iloet'
Old Varney must have been an adept TO
have found it
well, / hope you'll get there all
right" said Gwynne. He got up and
lounged toward the table.
Where did you say IT was? ne
asked, glancing over the officers shoul;
der at the map, which was still spread
out before him.
Here said Fenchurch.
And I suppose you intend to bring
the ladies away with yOu?
"Oh, we'll, rather-if they'll come -,
Held against their will, suppose"
"Yes-at least so the story goes
Doubtless they'll be glad to see you.
English, believe you said.
THAT point doesn't seem to be clear
Some say Tarney wa$ an American;
He was certainly an enthusiast!
"Cndoubtedly-I should call him a fam
And I suppose one of the ladies will
Fenchurch." laughed Gwynne.
who can tell? More remarkable
things have happened"
well. not much more" returned
Roedler AT least. I should be greatly
surprised if 1 found out later that IL
had really happened"
"Why?' FenChurch inquired. CLAN
cling up at the man beside him.
"0h, nothing: only such things don't
often happen, that's all. You might not
find the ladies exactly beautiful, you
know, and they might not find you all
they looked for in a husband If they
should turn out to be couple OF hags'
now"
All this time Gwynne was studying
the map, though with seeming indif-
ference For my part, l was working
my pipe for all it was worth, and was
afraid had overdone the act. when the
lama sneezed. got up. and left the nall
But my confidence was restored when
he came back with churn OF tea. some
barley-cakes, and butter.
Gwynne asked the Englishman how
eoon he intended to resume this wild
and romantic journey, to which query
the other replied that he hoped to get
OF Immediately, or, at least. as soon as
his guide could get things ready
You have really found guide
them said Roedler, showing interest.
- ives. the fellow that came yester-
day. You've seen him. He talks as
II he knew everything, and says the
trail from here to Tad-sa-tuh is
most dangerous one, but agreed to
take us over 1t, though confess ne
asked an outrageous price: To tell
the truth, / haven't any confidence in
these men, and 1 dare say he'd sell US
out for q trif1e; but it's the best we
can do and we must take our chances
I'VE shall miss you! 1t will seem
lonely here without you, Gwynne re-
piled. And you leave whenT,
I'm the morning, probably: II not,
as soon after as possible. All depends
on the way our new man works.
well. I shan't say good-by-only good
night and au revoir-We shall certainly
hope to find you here in the morning.
It's good to hear a chorus of English
speaking voices after being so long
alone together"
seconded all that Gwynne said, and
added my best wishes and hopes for a
speedy marriage. I also refused to say
good-by. really believing that we should
meet again.
Later. in the privacy of our own bed
chamber, / whispered in Gwynne's ear:
''Checkmated, old man.
''who?" he whispered in return.
'why, we, of course!
mo, they!''
what do you mean?"
i've got the bearings on Tad-sa-fuh.
We're at Gim-ra now; both places are
nm tho man Tad-Sa-f1Ih is two hundred