The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-11-05
Chapter %
Strange Meeting.

from a wide stone-stepped street
that led down to the river
swarming with water carriers.
Lynn saw a woman dressed II
European clothes and carrying Z
frilly red umbrella emerge from
the mob of watermen. She spoke
10 the gate-keeper and pointed tc
the junk displaying the flag OF
Shani Lun. After moment ne
admitted her, and the sentry
turned to conduct her to the quay
"She must be a friend Of
Temu's," thought Lynn. "And she
must be extremely familiar with
the place to be coming alone like
this" She remembered Temu had
just told her that all respectable
white women were leaving Ian
fou on the air transport.
For a moment Lynn chung to
the wall in unexpected weakness.
She had thought Of Temu as one
above ordinary men and as her
own particular discovery.
He might fiirt across a dinner
table with an art student in Paris,
or with a college girl in America,
but Lynn had never dreamed that
a fluff with a frilly, red paraSol
would come tripping down the
quay looking for him in Lanfou.
AS their footsteps approached,
Lynn stiffened and moved out
into the open. The sentry stopped
and stared open-mouthed as if he
were seeing an apparation. The
girl behind him came forward. AT
the sight Of Lynn she screamed.
'Iynn Brittonl"
"Well, Peggy" said Lynn on a
full breath, 81 didn't recognize
you in this get-up."
81 became lost and the planes
went of without me-" Peggy said
plaintively. $50 I raised a red
parasol to protect me from the
communists and came looking for
Mr.. Temu DARN. The planes got
away just in time. Fighting has
broken out in the Mahammedan
quarters and I hear an army of
revolutioniSts is approaching from
the south. But you, Lynnl How
did you escape from the pirates?
I thought they had taken you up
the river"
i broke away and swan back, I"
tibed Lynn.
Peggy was so busy planning a
foundation for her own position
here that she swallowed the abb
surd statement without question.
They turned at the sound of a
powerful motor boat as it shot up
the river and headed in towards
the wharf where they stood.
Lynn recognized its pilot as
Bula. the pock-marked Mongol,
who seemed to be equally skillful
with a gasoline engine or a
camel.
Surprise for Temu
T'EMU stood up before the boat
1 came to a stop, and at sight of
the girls, almost lost his balance
with surprise and CONSERVATION.
Joy dubbed up within Lynn.
He jumped to the wharf and
came forward. How did you get
out here?" he asked, and before
receiving a reply, demanded of
Peggy. what became of you?
We searched everywhere and had
to send the planes on without
you"
81. went for a walk and got
lost" said Peggy. did Sam go
on without me?"
Temu gave her a sharp glance.
'FYour husband did not believe
you were lost" And without
waiting for her comment, he
turned to Lynn. How did this
happen?"
Peggy answered for her:
Lynn escaped and swan back
down the river"
'sWelll" he murmured. He
gazed at Lynn, at her high color
and miscmevous blue eyes. He
saw in her acquiescence that
there was a secret between
them, a loyalty like the under
standing between members in &
family quarrel
well have to make plans for
getting out of here" ne said. and
ushered the girls into the shed,
explaining to Peggy that the
warehouse. a property Of the
Prince of Shani Lun, contained an
apartment in which the girls
would be safe, he hoped, until he
could make arrangements tc
take them away from Lanfou.
He observed the screen cut
from the ventilator and the un-
locked door.
Chan had reappeared and fol-
lowed them in, his usually mex
preSsive face alive with con-
sternation. He had undoubtedly
thought Temu's battle with the
girl was won and it would be
safe to leave the keys in theil
accustomed place.
= Peggy looked around. How
cunning and mSsteriousl" she
said They went into the living.
room and Temu asked. her to SIT
down. He spoke bliintly.
'Your husband believed you in.
tended to miss the plane. He said
you had quarreled with him"
Peggy waved a hand airily
sFWhat of it7 He deserved TO be
quarreled with and left. thought
I'd stay in Lanfou and watch the
fun I've never been in a revolu.
ton before"
"How did you think you'd be
taken care of"
She took of her wide-brimme6
hat. you're here, a representative
Of the powerful Prince Of Shan
Lun. You wouldn't let the revolu.