The Key West citizen., 1940-10-15
Chapter Four
Dick Disappears

l. GER VINO had stared at her 50
strangely. Tenu Darini A name
not so different from Tamerlane
or from Temujin. the great Cen
ghis Khan himself. Never before
had man so stirred her imagina-
ton. But he'd probably prove dis
appointing on second sight.
One sunny May morning the
dream Of the tree first imposed
itself on her waking life. She and
Hal Evans sat on a beach holding
hands-carelessly happy. Sudden
" on the br'"ntness of the day
nisted the silver Light of the
moon. She felt herself standing in
z tower, the Presence at her
shoulder, and together they gazed
at the lilac tree aglow with bios
SONS in the moonlight.
That sense CT exquisite bliss. OF
Tightness, Of being where she
should be, wit1 the ore to whom
she belonged. flooded her CON
sciousness.
Hal jerked her hand Hey" he
demanded. "Wnat are you staring
at?"
She came back with a start
strangely shai,tn. and rePretting
TO return. With a sense Of discOm-
fort she rose to avoid Halls arms;
she hadn't wanted to be touched
by him. On that day she broke
her engagement. Sam TelfOTd had
gone out of her life wnen the
charm box with its sprig of lilac
came into H.
Lynn pulled the bedding more
snugly about her shoulders and
relaxed. The serenade of the gods
still fingered in her ears and the
scents of incense clung to her
skin. She wondered drOwSily
what the little lama rad seen in
her horoscope
Lynn awOke early next morn
ing disturbed by noises in the
street beyond the compound as If
fhrongs of people were passing
Not waiting 10 3e called she rose
and dressed A clear. cold dawn
greeted her as she stepped into
the brIck-paved courtyard with
its plots of dwarf cedar ard laurel
in the parking. She ran across the
enclosure and knocked at Dick 5
door. Receiving no response. she
tried the door. found il unlocked.
and went in The bed had not
been disturbed and all Dicks pos
sessions were gone. She looked
about in bewil8erment hoping TO
find note on karg or window
ledge.
Could he have gone off and
left me here alone" she asked
aloud There was no doubt now
that flight was Dicks driving i'm
pulse when n q tight place Per-
haps. he had iett a note with the
keeper of the inn
AS she n stened across the
courtyard she Jaw burly form
dodge behind the devil screen
and disappear. but not before she
had time TO recognize the evl!.
pitted face The landlady greeted
her coolly. apparently Sensin :
something wrong Fortunately for
Lynn, the woman spoke pidgln
English. The night before the
master had paid the bill and de-
parted saving his sister would
leave in tie morning Would she
please 90 at once? Soldiers were
advancing on the village and the
natives were fleeing to the walled
city of Pal Shu
The Holy Man
II YNN asked II she might hire
l. transportation and learn d
there was none to be had Sle
must walk with the rest of the
refugees and carry what posses
sions she could. Returning TO her
room she waited for the sullen
maid TO bring her tea
Close to ungOvernable panic.
Lynn drank the tea with difficult
ty. She felt like a child. enticed
farther and farther into a deep
forest. who finally discovers her
self completely lost and left TO
the mercy Of the wild creatures OF
the woods.
A rap on the door startled her.
The landlady entered. bowling
low. her manner completely ~
changed. A holy man awaited her
guest in the reception room; he
LcQ CUTIE 10 tuAC AlE1 away AAAG
woman's shrewd eyes darted
about the room as she set about
packing Lynn'S things. Lynn
gazed at her in terror Was it the
priest or the pilgrim?
What" she faltered. what
does this holy man look like?"
Him good man. You go now" ,"
The woman held UP Lvnn's coat.
She shrugged into it. and pulling
her little nat down snugly over
shining black hair, she opened
the door. From behind her the
iandlady beckoned to a pair Of
coolies with a drawn up cart
Other boys squatted near cur
tanned sedan chair.
With curious glance at rid
ing pony carrying a silver
studded saddle and tethered at
the courtyard gate. Lynn crossed
swiftly to the reception room.
Sherlock Fuyeh lifted a hand
in benediction and smiled at her.
Lynn bowed to his blessing. Then.
in careful precise English. he
spoke.
Miss Britton, come to you
from the Prince of Shani Lun.
Your brother sent us a message
last night and enclosed note for
you"