The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1920-05-27
CHAPTER vli-continued.

After n of the large riders had
advanced. salaamed before the prince,
and spoken, and. following him, Chez
Ming had concluded the evidence, the
prince moved. His robe tinkled with
Spangles as he unfolded his long per-
o and descended to the level of his
rourtiers. Chez Ming bent down to
the rug as this young royalty brushed
past. The prince wore no queue. He
looked a moment at the white pris-
"ners. close up. much as Il child re-
CARDS two stuffed apes. He gave no
heed to the assembly. The royal litter
came gliding up. carried by six slaves.
In this the prince reclined his length.
Swiftly he was borne away, his car
riers moving like shadows. His high
ness had uttered not a word.
A dull confusion Of voices closed
in around March aud Lexington.
what was u friend saying?" ask
ed March.
Blood mixing" began March, hur-
riedly; but they were parted before
he could explain his meaning. March
was taken away. and Cons slave
moved in closer beside him. looking
very burly and dull. An order was
given, and Lexington was led away,
returning by the way he had come.
In his apartment. after sunset, he
tried to think his way out, but failed
to understand why he was not killed
at once. Instead. a form Of trial had
been given them. Every physical CON-
fort was besa,wed. Courtesy was
silent but unfailing. When he had re-
turned from court, a tray OF baked
vegetables was awaiting him, with q
pot Of tea, a brazier, and a salver of
cool grapes. Yet he could o forget
the violence of their reception at the
head Of the ravine, and the refined
hate Of Chez Ming.
He sighed to recall that the princess
had wearied of their presence before
the throne, and had taken leave with
out hearing the conclusion of their
trial. Their death had previously been
delayed by her order.
Plainly, Chez Ming had his own will
in matters brought before the prince.
Who, and where, was the monarch for
the central chair that had been vacant?
Lexington sat at the low stone table
on the roof, to finish his dinner, and
try to study out q means of escape.
In the circumstances. he felt that
their federal mission was doomed to
remain unperformed. He looked out
into the misty lowlands, where the
lifting vapors were colored by an after
glow Of sunset into drifting peacock
plumes. strands of Elusive violet and
gold. The fiocks had disappeared. A
weighty silence pressed down over the
valley-a twilight Of apprehension.
He started. A curious object
dropped at his feet. 1t was the long
tailed monkey with the white face.
%Inquisltive. the creature had come to
examine the new arrival, but its ewes
twttched with fear and childlike un-
certainty. Lexington tossed him a
red plum. The monkey seized the
fruit and bit into it, keeping his eyes
fixed upon the giver Of the fruit.
"Well. little friend. is it all right?'
The small beast stopped munching,
to think out a civil reply. Reflectively,
sadly. be dug out the seed OF the plum,
inspected 1t. bit it. cast it down, and
forgot all about the question. He
wiped his face upon his hairy forearm.
and came a Sinking step nearer. Like
- cat he leaped upon the bench, and
began stirring In the bowl that had