Evening star., 1934-07-02


dency at Labak three people
sat tense and silent-lis-
~ tening.
Azrael, the Angel of Death,
was abroad in the land.
Despite the ceaSeleSs filckerlng OF
sheet lightning behind the surround
ing hills, a sinister gloom filled the
narrow and twisting streets OF the
Labak bazaar. From the heart of the
city, like the thunder of a distant
torrent, rose an ominous, droning NUT
ter-the deep-throated voice of an
angry people.
Azrael, the Angel of Death, was
abroad in the land.
On the lawn of the British reSidency
mile away three people sat tense and
silent in the moonleSS Indian night
listening.
Over all floated thin, reedy wall
ing, like the far-diStant strains of
snake charmers pipes.
Sounds as if old god Pan were
lulling the jackals and pariah dogs to
Sleep!" said Diana Lindsay, the resi-
dents daughter
Sir John Lindsay muttered as he
relighted his cheroot.
The reedy music ceased, and the
quick, soft thudding of Yanistani
drums started. To Diana it was as if
the beating of their three hearts had
suddenly been made audible, but to
Brevet Maj. Colin Gray, V. c., D. S.
O., the menacing rhythm recalled the
death drums of the Congo.
Diana's voice dispelled the ghastly
recollection
Creepy, isn't it?" she said, reach
ing out a hand to her father. She
shivered. though the night was op-
pressively hot. The thought of the
secret service mission that was to take
Colin Gray away in day or two was
making her strangely unhappy An
overwhelming sense of foreboding
weighed upon her
Gray frowned thoughtfully, and his
brown face wrinkled as he flicked
the ash from his cigarette.
THE local dance orchestra seems
to be warming up, sir" he said lightly.
Don't see the joke, I'm afraid"
groWled the resident, tugging at a
white mustache
Daddy, you're all on edge tonight"
ended his daughter. Whats the
matter with you? Maj Gray only said
it IN fun"
Gray knows as well as I do" re-
torted Sir John testify. that the pres-
ent situation has about as much hunor
in it as-as The Dead March in
SauT!"
All the same, sir" demurred Grav
cheerfully, things surely aren't as
gloomy As all that! You've got friend
Alom Khan-or The Cobra as he
is called-in Jail at last. and his
serene highness the Mir of Yanistan
mas consented to hang him in two
days time! Matters will surely settle
down when that's overt"
The point is that it isn't over
and 1t may never be over!" exclaimed
Sir John. With things as they are.
Labak is no place for white woman
you must admit that When you've
been as long among these frontier
devils as have, Gray, you'll know
that if the mob is on the side of
dangerous criminal. and that criminal
is in a rickety native jail. ANYTHING
can happen-and at any moment!"
Gray squared his shoulders as he
nodded assent.
Il wish to heaven I hadn't given
in to you, Dill" exclaimed the older
man irately. You'd have been safe
in Simla with the PonSonbys by now"
Diana rose with the effortleSs ease
which distinguishes some tall people
A strange .coldness seemed to her to
be creeping into the night But she
strove to soothe her father.
You're not to worry so much,
dear" she said softly. laying careSs-
ing hand on his shoulder Think how
dreadfully worried I'd have been if
things had gone wrong in Labak and
I'd not been with you. Cuts both
ways, you seei'
He looked up at her affectionately.
Since her mothers death Diana had
become doubly precious to him.
Where are you off to, PusS?"
Going to turn in, darling. It's get
ting chilly. We're going to have a
storm, I think"
AS she moved away Gray's keen
eyes followed her until her form was
lost in the darkness.
Sorry if was a bit short tempered
just now, Gray" said Sir John, but
Benson being on leave makes things
a bit worrying. In case anything hap
pens to me, mean. Il didn't like to
mention it in front of Di, but last
night this Yelled Man of the Pamirs,'
as they call him in the bazaar-the
master assassin you're out to track
down-left what I suppose he wants
i
him"