The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1920-10-07
CHAPTER Vii-continued.


After one of the large riders had
advanced, safaamed before the prince,
and spoken, and. following him, Chez
Ming had concluded the evidence, the
prince moved. His robe tinkIed with
spangleS as he unfOIded his long per-
son and descended to the level of his
cOurtiers. Chez Ming bent down to
the rug as this young royalty brushed
past. The prince wore no queue He
looked moment at the white pris-
oners, close up. much as q child re-
CARDS tive 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 word.
A dull confusion Of voices closed
In around March and Lexington.
''What was our friend saying?" ask
ed March.
"Blood mixing began March, hur-
riedly; but they were PAL ted before
he could explain his meaning. March
was taken away. and Cons slave
moved in closer beside him, looking
very burIy 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 ne was not killed
at once. Instead, a form of trial had
been given them. Every physical COM
fort was bestowed. Courtesy was
silent but unfailing. When he had re-
turned from court. a tray of baked
vegetables was awaiting him. with Il
pot of tea, brazieF, and saiver OF
cool grapes. Yet he could not 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
on the roof, to finish his dinner, and
try TO study out a 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 4
weighty silence pressed down over tht
valley-a twilight OF apprehension.
He started. A curious Objec
dropped at his feet. 1t was the long
tailed monkey with the white face
Inquisitive. the creature had come t.
examine the new arrival. but its eye
twitched with fear and chiIdlfke IN
certainty. Lexington tossed him
red plum. The monkey seized tn
fruit and bit into it, keeping his eye
fixed upon the giver of the fruit
"Well. little friend. is it all right 2
The small beast stopped munching
TO think out civil reply. Refiectiyely
sadly, he dug out the seed of the plum
inspected it. bit 1t, cast 1t down. an
forgot all about the question. H
wiped his face upon his hairy forearm
and came a sinking step nearer. Lik
a cat he Ieaped upon the bench. an
egan stirring In the bowl that ha
obtained a tuberous vegetable neV
o the prisoner. The monkey wa
disappointed. Then he looked q
sharply. shrieked and sprang acrOs
the space to the top OF the wall. q
gave one backward glance. whinperee
and was gone over the edge OF til
wall. Lexington also turned TO IoOl
and saw Chez Ming.
sYou are condemned" said II
Chinese.
81 guessed 1t. But whyr'
Yeu have. come to Tau Kuan. en-
pire OF the Yellow Sum-
"It's a good place. SAD Con
"Here are al races OF manxtna