The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-08-11
JUG YGGL0W SEVEN:
" THE PASSING 81
" OF ZARA-kHAN "
~ EDttoNp SMELL.
~ EptfOND SMELL.
MlvsrRAyED BY
RA3SeswsRFtHIU

realism of the affair will be with you
inside an hour
cara Khan" said Varney, remov-
ing his singlet, i've come to the
conclusion you'd better finish the job
while you're here"
The man in the turban of red and
gold bowed.
Very good. sab. What you want
me to do? An elephant with tigress
clinging to the trunk would be good. "
I've got a tiger already" said the
trader surveying his arm.
"a leopard with spots" suggested
the prince Of tattooers. cit would
make a nice picture 1 made one like
that once for the Rajah-"
He broke off suddenly. He was
| staring at the door which led from
the veranda. Varney, following the
direction of his gaze, saw the figure
Of an Oriental of enormous girth
framed in the doorway. The new
conner wore a white tunic, buttoned
up to the neck, across which stretched
the massive links of a gold chain. His
legs were encased in baggy trousers
of black silk that rustled in the
breeze and the third finger of his left
hand displayed a ring set with a large
| green stone.
81 trust I am not intruding, gentle
men,"
| The trader observed him coldly
WHO are you?" he demanded,
reaching at the same time for his
tunic.
"Chai-Hung." said the other
simply.
Rabat-Plai-who was in the act CT
! entering by the opposite door-dropped
the jug of water he had been carrying
and fled
'Chai-Hung?"
Most certainly! Why not, Mr..
Varney. If you are still inclined to
doubt my word, Mr.. cara Khan will
enlighten you"
Varney's hand swung round to the
| back, but before his fingers could
close on the weapon he sought. he
found himself looking down the barrel
of Chai-Hung's automatic
Pray be seated-both Of you I
was afraid you might be-a little
nervous at my unexpected arrival
and so took the precaution Of bring
ing thisr'
He drew forward chair and low
cred himself into it.
II understand that you buried Mr.
Pennington this morning A very
lamentable AFFAIR." was sorry not
to be able to be present myself
Varpey moved restlessly.
II suppose I have to thank you
for the loss of my dog" he said.
The Oriental patted the hand that
held the pistol with the fingers of
the other.
"A double tragedy, if may say so!
I understand the dog is the friend of
man-and you, poor fellow, have sus-
tanned the loss of two good friends
at one and the same time"
You devilr'
Chai-Hung binked amiably.
Thank you, Mr.. Varney. May I
request -zara-Khan to continue with
his work?"
Varney choked.
| Look here, Chai-Hung.. or what
ever your name is. I'm not in
mood to sit here and be ordered about
by you. If you've come here to shoot
me-carry on with it. If not, clear
out-and be damned to you"
MY dear Mr.. Varney," protested
| the brigand with well-assUmed sur
| prise, you will, hope, do me the
| honor to remember that up to the
| present I have requested you to do
nothing. My suggestion was merely
| that ZaFa-Khan should proceed with
| the work that my unfortunate entry
interrupted. 1t was you who first
| mentioned shooting, and I believe 1
! am right in saying that you were
/ about to draw on me when 1 came in.
A distinctly unwise move on your
part, Mr.. Varney. when one remem-
| bers that Chai-HuDg never travels
| about alone. If I wanted to kill you,
my friend. there are twenty others
outside waiting to help me. You re-
ceived a message from me the other
| day."
The trader shrugged his shoulders.
A yellow card fluttered on to the
II.
An ugly light had crept into the
Orientals eyes.
AS if by given signal, two forms
slid through the doorway behind Var
ney and secured his arms
Chai-Hung rose to his feet.
"Zara-Khan." he said hoarsely,
you viii prepare your things and
tattoo this Englishman. 1t will be
little out of your line. must tell you,
for you will not be paid for your
work-and the picture will not be
quite the samer
The man in the turban had changed
visibly from brown to gray and his
teeth chartered. He stared from Chat
Hung to Varney-rsw roped securely
to his chair and presently his horror
stricken eyes travelled back to the
blue barrel.
81 am waiting for you to begin
Zara-Khan.''
And Zara-Khan turned, with sha-
ken fingers, to, his tray.
Chinese Pennington-surnmo in
hot haste by his henchmen-arrived
at the foot of Varney's steps. bare
hundred yards behind Rabat-P ilai. He
took the flight at a bound and, pis-
toll in hand. made headlong for the
traders living room.
AS he flung open the door, a scene
of utter chaos met his eyes. The
door at the far end of the room was
wide open. Between this and where