Evening star., 1933-12-06
Ii FORBIDDEN VALLEY
+kfEz4a ~ uj;iGa.~ BYeow 1ovSY

pretended he knew, he could probably
have got 1t out Of her.
| She admitted reluctantly: eyes,
you're right; we're not related. I'll tell
you why we made this-this arrange
ment. II I'd been alone. couldn't
have come in here at all I wouldn't
even have got as far as Russian Lake.
Ralphs q good friend. knew could
trust Ralph implicitly. He's a gentle
man through and through. Under the
| circumstances our arrangement was
entirely sensible. It was the only re-
course I had"
But all that told him nothing about
| her mission In that country. Curt
swung the talk back:
"Sonya, I'm not playing cards with
you, or trying to meddle In your busi-
ness. or looking for any advantage to
myself. You may be justified in going
on North. In that case I'll give you
all the help in my power. But I've got
to know what you're doing" He paused
q moment, then added point blank,
And you've got to tell me-"
Sonya refused fatty. I'm sorry,
| Curt. I can't do it."
There was no use to argue. He was
irritated by her stubborn silence and
jealous that Ralph should share her
confidence while he was barred out.
II suppose you're going to wash your
hands Of us now," she said.
You intend to 60 on above the
pass?" he demanded And when she
nodded: You're fumbling dynamite
| If you only knew it."
"I do know it. But there's q chance
that We can get on friendly terms with
the Klosohees"
"A mighty slim chance, from what
| - Y~H kAl1 nv,tk
without Paul and me-"
She said it quietly, but Curt knew
she meant 1t. Her purposiveness was
almost grim. Short of tying her up
hand and foot and taking her back to
Russian Lake he could not stop her
If we can make friends with the
Klosohees," she said presently, there
wouldn't be any danger at all. That's
the crux of the whole matter. You've
had a good deal of experience with In
dians, Curt; believe you could manage
it." She leaned toward him, a plea
crept into her voice. II know don't
deserve help after refusing to take you
into my confidence; but won't you any
way, Curt?"
As he saw the situation, he was
forced to take his choice of helping her
or letting her 60 into that country with
out protection. BY themselves she and
Ralph simply did not stand a chance
That great blue cleft up-river would
prove a one-way portal into Klosohee
territory.
Perhaps he could work himself into
the good graces of the Klosohees. II
so, the whole danger would blow over
as she had said. At any rate Paul and
he would be guarding her.
They could go cautiously, keep their
eyes open and bring her back to safety
If trouble started popping.
He did not like the prospect. She
would be exposed to danger, however
careful he and Paul might be, and NJ
would be sadly handicapped on The
Karakhan hunt. But the alternative
was to let her go through that pass un.
protected, defenseless: and that va.
something he could not do.
Sonya was watching him, hangins
upon his decision. Curt saw her fingers
trembling as she waited. He thought
it fine Of her that in those moments
she made not the slightest attempt Il
sway him by her charm or her power;
as girl.
"I'll make bargain with you, Sonya,
he said finally. ITS this: I'll take
you in there and do everything car
with those Klosohees, but if see thai
friendly contact isn't possible you're
to let Paul and me bring you back out
and you'll 60 on south to Russian Lake
Will you agree to that?"
Sonys clasped his hand Curt, that!
awfully splendid Of you'll"
"You promise, then? You'll tu1T
back when give the word, and vol
promise you'll 60 straight south II
Russian Lake?"
Eyes, I promise"
Curtis party meets, tomorrow, th'
terrible KlosOhees.