Evening star., 1934-07-25

NJ Ing place IN ShireenS
wv apartments. strange things
were happening deep down
under the foundations of
the palace. in q vault-like room OPEN
ing of the Council Chamber Of the
veiled man.
A shrouded figure was moving
swiftly about In a maze Of glittering
electrical apparatus--dials, magnets,
batteries and switches.
Bending over q small ebony and
brass machine in q glass case about 2
feet square. Of which one side was
open. q harsh voice was speaking
slowly and distinctly.
"Simla Simla cannot
hear thee plainly. K ITO That is
better Have they given Mohammed
Shah the leave he asked for7 1t
Is well. The Mongol Is TO die
Aeroplanes have several times passed
over valley. but the mists make them
blind, thanks be to Allahl $3.50,
46 and S16 I will lead the COM
bined armies Speak not so near
the instrument How many Gurk-
has7 And guns7" "a grating
laugh.) They shall be buried
The gases accumulate; II needs
but the spark :. will speak to thee
before it -. Bismillahl"
Khoon Is Afraid.
As he made his way to the Council
Chamber, TO which the yelled mar
had summoned him, Khoon walked in
deathly fear. At every corner in the
subterranean passages the yellow
mask of his face was turned quickly
over one or other of his misshaper
shoulders. Before the door of the
Council Chamber he assumed an ali
Of bravado.
THE veiled one must make haste
to that which he has TO say TO me,
he said to the tongueless janitor. 81
have other matters to attend toi"
The dumb mans leer as he opened
the door was so eloquent Of contempt
that the dwarf quailed before 1t.
Directly underneath a lamp, witt
four wicks In an emarald-colored glass
bowl. which was suspended from the
vaulted roof, sat shrowded, motion.
less figure IN black inquisitor's gowr
and cowl.
At the feet Of the seated figure
coiled on a large square Of green vel.
vet, was a 30-foot python, its EVIL
looking head laid on the topmost oi
It's slow-heaving coils and turned TO-
ward the dwarf, as II watching him.
welcome. trusted friendl" said Q
harsh voice.
Again Khoon salaamed profoundly
II, paramount chief Of the Mongo
Armies. salute theeI" he said evenly
ITO thee, Khoon the Mongol, in tht
name Of God, peacel To thine armies
warl" answered the veiled mar
quietly. But we sent for thee Il
speak Of other things. We hear thai
there are those In whose minds have
been sown thoughts hostile to US
Men-and those who are not men
Knowest thou aught Of these things?'
A wide silk sleeve was swept across
the yellow forehead.
"Naught. Or should have tolt
theeI"
without doubt thou wouldst hav,
told usl Hear, then, what we have
TO say: Thou, who art descended
from that tall Tartar-who had, 1t Il
said, the eyes Of cat-art destined By
US to rule India. for thou seest as W.
see and as he saw-from afar on
Thou shalt drive before thee with q
scourge Of steel and lead the sahih lol
whom thou hatest even as we hat,
them!"
Thou art the power of powers
masterl" exclaimed Khoon, his small
black eyes afiame with savage am
bition. "We-I, that is-will rull
as thou commanded. and in no othei
mannerl"
"Thou shalt rule as thou pleasest
o Khoon. but see that those who
hold thoughts hostile to us become
not by some strange chance thy
friendsl At noon we shall need
thee in council, when there win come
before us this sahib who gave thee
and thine no trouble. Thou mayst
gol"
Wiping damp hands on the sides oi
his gown, Khoon went out.
A minute later the door opened
and though the veiled man had made
neither sign, sound, nor movement
the dumb janitor appeared, the look ir
his doglike eyes asking for orders.
There is coming the Sirdar Alan
Khan" said the veiled man slowly
Thou wilt take from him all his
weapons before he enters"
Alone, the yelled man rose and
lifted the Byzantine tapestry behind
the ebony chair and disappeared from
view.
Hardly had the curtain swung into
place again when the door opened
slowly TO admit the bulky figure Of
the Cobra.
As the lock clicked behind him his
eyes fell upon the python. Instinc-
lively he felt for the hilt Of his
scimitar, and, not finding 1t, his hand
moved UP to his breast.
As he bent his arm the python
stirred again, raising its great comm
shaped head, and a long, loud kissing
accentuated the intense stiffness.
by Allah!" swore the Cobra under
his breath, "if I had with me that
which has been taken from me I would
send thine evil head to hiss In q
corneri"
Heads that roll, hiss notl" said a
harsh voice. Even thine, Sirdar
Alan Khan. viii be silent when they
who are sharpening a sword to lop it
from thy shoulders strike. Lay at thy
feet the knife thou hast forgotten to
give to the guardian at the door!"
Muttering in his beard, the Cobra
took from his breast a long. stiletto-
like blade and place it OH the ground.
"Salaam Aiekoom, o wearer Of the