Evening star., 1934-07-29
KING COBRA
BY MARK CLAIMING

kin myself. II thou oTderest it---but
let not the Khan deal with mel"
You shall have time 10 escape"
said Shirecn oontemptuously. but
that time you shall have only If you
help the n1iss-sahib. and. the sahib
Ei1o also Ia prisoner. TO escape
Slowly Jaffr climbed to his feet.
That morning, when the dumb jailer
had come 70 him TO receive his daily
orders. the eunuch had seen Shireens
ring upon his little finger. the stone
having slipped around. but until now
even mis- cunning mind had not seen
how he could safely use the discovery
Of II as evidence against her. for she
had only 20 say IL had been stolen
and the Khan would believe her.
But nov Jafi1r saw clearly what he
could do: he would 90 to the Cobra,
betray Khoon's plot and Shireen's
plan TO help Diana and Colin Gray to
escape,
Give thy slave his ordersl" he
mumbled. dropping his eyes that
Shireen might not see the triumphant
gleam In them
you will arrange for the setting
free Of the Inglis prisoner, and see
that the small gate Of the palace
garden Is left open when evening
falls" commanded Shireen. See that
the guards keep away from that part
until the two sahibs have passed
through It. When they have gone
make haste TO go thyselfl / give
thGA till midnight"
ITO serve you, lady" responded
Jaffir. "is sufficient reason for any man
to face death. but although fear not
dying to serve you, do fear greatly
falling in your service. II this sahib
strike me with his clenched hand e.
Do / not know how slow the sahibs
are to believe in any one? This one
may think I come TO deliver him up
to the beastsl" The eunuchs eyes
cleaned at the thought that he might
yet do so. Give me writing. that
I may show it TO him." he suggested
humbly. "A few words onlyi Trust
him who brings this letter That and
nothing morel 1t will be as key for
ladyl" He had seen writing materials
on a table close by, and was motioning
Diana to take up the pen.
Shireen prevented her.
mo, Dianal" exclaimed the Persian.
"a writing is like a snake-it may
turn and bite you'll ! have told you
to go, Jafirl II what have promised
is not sufficient to give courage, then
will ask my lord for the sahib's
freedom in exchange for something
I will tell him.
The bluff had some effect.
Much that is to be done may have
danger for othersl" limited the eunuch,
his eyes puckered. Il have heard a
rumor that the jailers have been
tampered with"
"If that be true It will make it
easier for you TO do what I have
ordred. A second time I bid you
leave usw
Jafir's face began to glisten.
Standing in the doorway was the
Cobra, his bloodshot eyes fixed on the
eunuch.
What Is all this talk?" asked the
Cobra. And why sweatest thou of
sudden?
Shireen paused moment to let fear
purge resistance from Jafir's terrified
mind. Then she spoke: II found
fault with him for certain small
matter which he is going to set right"
she said nonchalantly.
She nodded dismaSsal to Jaffir. went
up to the Cobra, and slipping her
hand into the crook Of his right arm,
gently drew him to her.
May my lord be pleased with mel"
she said softly. 81 have ordered q
nautch, in which the dance of the
women will portray battle for theel
Is 1t good?"
(To be continued.J