The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1918-05-16
CHAPTER viIl-continued.

-
The packs were laid IN the ground.
and the mules shook themselves, while
the jackals that haunt the Khyber
came closer, to sit In a ring and
watch. King dug a fiashlight out Of
one Of the packs, gave II to Ismnil TO
hold, sat on the other pack and began
to write on a memorandum pad. II
was a minute before he could persuade
Ismail that the fashlight was harm
less. and another minute before he
could get him to hold 1t stu. Then.
however. he wrote swiftly.
In the Khyber, a mile below you.
Dear Old Mani would like TO run In
and see you, but circumstances don't
permit. Several people sent your their
regards by me. Herewith go two mules
and their packs. Make any use OF the
mules you like. but store the loads where
] can draw on them in case OF need. l
would like to have a talk with you before
taking the rather desperate step l In
tend. but I don't want to be seen enter
ing or leaving Ali Masjid. Can you come
down the pass without making your In
tention known II is growing misty now.
II ought to be easy. My men will tell
you where I am and show you the way.
Why not destroy this letter?-Athelstan.
He folded the note and stuck n post
Z stamp on 1t In lieu Of n seal. Then
he examined the packs with the aid OF
the fiashlight, sorted them and ordered
W OF the mules reloaded.
"You three ~ he ordered then. "Take
the loaded mules into Ali Masjid fort.
Take this chit, you. Give * To the
sahlb In command there"
ITO hear Is TO obey !" said the near
est man. They took the mules leading
reins and before they had gone ten
PAGES were swallowed in the mist that
had begun TO flow southeastward. The
night grew still. except for the whim-
pering Of jackals.
Ismail came nearer and squatted ut
Kings feet. Darya Khan came closer
too. King had tied the reins OF the
two horses and the one remaining
mule together In n knot and was sit
ting on the pack. Solemn, almost
motionless, %squatted on their hunkers,
they looked like two great vultures
watching an animal die.
They sat In silence for FIVE minutes.
Then suddenly the two hillmen shud-
dered, although King did not bat an
eyelid. Din burst into being. A volley
ripped out Of the night and Numbered
down the pass.
"How-uttl Hukkums darT came
the insolent challenge half q minute
after 1.-THE proof positive that Ali
Masjid's guards neither slept nor were
afraid.
A weird wall answered the chal-
loage, and there began a tossing to and
fro Of words. that was prelude to q
shouted invitations:
Ud-vance-frrrennen !"
English can be as welrdly distorted
as wire. or any other supple medium.
and native levies advance distortion TO
the point Of art; but the language
sounds no less good IN the chilly gloom
Of u Khyber night.
Followed another wait, this time of
half an hour. Then a mans foot
steps-a booted, leather-heeled man,
striding carelessly. Not far behind him
was the softer noise OF sandals. The
man began TO whistle "Annie Laurie"
"Charles7 That your" called King.
THAT you. old manT'
A man In khaki stepped into the
moonlight. He was so nearly the i'm
age Of Athelstan King that Ismail and
Darya Khan stood up and stared.
Athelstan strobe TO meet him. Their
walk was the same. Angle for angle.
tine for line, they might have been n
a and his shadow. except for three
quarters Of an inch Of stature.
"Glad to see you. old man." said
Athelstan.
"Sure. old chap" said Charles; and
they shook hands.
whats the desperate ~proposalf"
asked the younger.
tn tell you when we are alone"
His brother nodded and stood a step
ASIDE. The three who had taken the
note to the fort came closer--partiy to
call attention TO themselves. partly to
claim credit, partly because the outer
silence frightened them. They elbowed
Ismail and Darya Khan, and one of
them received d savage blow In the
stomach by way Of retoft from Ismail.
Before that spark could start an ex.
plosson Athelstan interfered.
= "Ismaiii Take two men. Go down
ths pass out Of earshot. and keep
watch Come back when 1 whistle
thu hut 10 ooner !"