Evening star., 1934-07-14
KING COBRA
By MARK CLAIMING

The herb woman is here. LADY,
| The messenger had returned WnlIe
they had been speaking.
Bid her enter!" ordered Shlreen,
passing gentle hand over DlanaS
hair. Will you be afraid 10 drink
/, what she will give your
Diana shook her head. smiling faint
ly. She seemed to have lost all desire
to speak, just as some birds cease to
sing when they are cageo. E.
If old age is a necessary quannca-
ton for the possession OF wisdom.
then the harridan VINO was now NOV
ing toward them must nave peen ex-
ceedlngIy wise.
Gazing at her half plty1ngly. Diana
put her age at hundred, even though
she knew that in the East women
grow old with cruel rapidity, Her
wrlnkled lips twitched ceaseIessIy, as
il tormented to restlessness by the
toothless gums behind them.
Swiftly battered tin box contain
ing some DRIED roots and several
phlals half full OF brown ana yellow
powders was produced from the inner
most folds OF volumlnous garments.
The stream OF commentary wnlcn
accompanied the opening OF box and
the selecting from 1t OF the ingredients
for the potion sounded to the harassed
Diana like the 1nceSsant toInng OF
cracked bell.
Actually, the nag was recounting
the latest news from that wonderfully
evil outer world about which the in
mates of the Cobra's harem dreamed
often, but were unable to read of, and
were never likely to see again.
Diana, IN a sudden surge of anxiety
about her father, was not listening;
Shireen seemed interested.
His Excellency Khoon the Mon
gol"-began the hag
q. has returned I know itl"'
cut in Shireen coldly. She had al
ways disliked the dwarf.
Discreetly silent but determined to
say what she had to say. in her own
time the old woman held out a cup to
Diana Drink it, before it settles
Miss Sahib!" she said. wheedlingly
And then, with the smooth insistence,
resumed her gossip.
Not many are over pleased to see
the Lord Khoon. Some men are in
deed strange she remarked warily
Tell me thy news, Babbler," COM
manded the Persian, even more coldly.
"Ominous! commented Loquacity
secretly. What should a poor old
woman like me know of the great
ones? The skin of date stone is not
thinner than my knowledge of theml"
Come, Diana" Soothed Shireen,
leading her to the couch which had
now been prepared beside her own
You must drink it"
Diana glanced distastefully at the
muddy-looklng contents of the cup,
and Loquacity. ever watchful. seeing
the hesitation, again addressed her.
Fear not. Miss Sahibl 'Yo. diva.
drey and you will be aSleep!"
How long shall l be unconScious?"
questioned Diana, as she gave back
the empty cup.
Until the sun sets tomorrow you
will be dreaming of handsome young
princes and fairy palaces!" chuckled
the crone. 1T may be longer: and ii
may be less. l cannot say. to a few
hours" The shrewd old eyes returned
to Shireen.
Yea AS ! said. the Lord
Khoon has returned-and few are
glad; though he brought with MIN a
strange prisoner-a sahib dressed as a
hillman. who is bigger than Cog ol
Magog. and as handsome as Rustum
His strength is the strength OF SIX
men As they took him throughSthe
streets he smote a man dead
They say ne stands 6i2 Inglis teet
you must lie down. Miss Sahibp"
Her last words were addressed TO
Diana. who had raised herself eagerly
on one elbow.
"Shireen!" exclaimed the English
girl Please, please flno out whether
this prisoner is one OF my country
men! II he is. you will help him, for
| nv sake" Her voice trailed away,
| and she sank back
A deep sigh from the couch. and
| the Sea-green eyes closed. The
world seemed to be floating away.
The herb woman laid a finger on a
blue -veined wrist.
She sleeps!" she croaked. VINO
| can mix a potion as well or as quick
I ly as n"
Gratefully hiding in her garments
the gold coin Shireen had given her.
+ she knelt and kissed the ground Al
+ the PerSian's feet. and silently left
her.
(To be eontinued.(