The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-09-22
Chapter rs
''The Dagger Guards YOU

THE truck returned from Chuka
! with the birth charts made
out in the Chinese manner.
'They are favorable said
Philip, finding Anne in the mess
hut alone shortly afterwards. She
had lit a fire in the fireplace fol
cheerfulness. He locked the pa
pers in his desk, a bit embar-
raised at being party to such pro-
ceedings. Consulting the starsl
A little too much like child's
play. The others would be amused
If they knew Anne comforted
him.
"The Nagaras cannot doubt our
sincerity on this point at least
When do you suppose they're
coming for us?a
Il don't know. We've been see
ing signal fires in the hills lately"
IF they don't come soon we
should start out to meet them.
Follow the trail father and
mother took, Do something TO get
in touch with them II is terrifyy
ing to receive no word day after
day.
Philip was pacing back and
forth before the fire IN his usual
nervous way.
II hate to tell you this, Anne,
and / don't know what to make
Of it. but there's a runor in
Chuka that Russian psychologists
have made contact with the Ma
garas and are advancing them
selves as the .avatars of Destiny
come to fulfill the prophecy"
''What does that mean?" Anne
demanded, and she did not have
the heart to tell him Pete's re-
port that Blaze had made trip
to Russia.
Il don't know"
The others came in then and
were told the rumor.
Things are going from bad to
worse, " said Philip pessimiStically
and no one contradicted him. A
knock sounded on the door.
A communication had been
brought by special courier from
Chuka. The Amban notified
Philip that the government was
sending an official Inspector to
join the expedition.
IAN official spy" sneered Larry.
Hell probably be a Mandarin
with a big retinue," sighed the
doctor. "I'll have to put a guard
over the spring or we'll be drink
ing Northumberland worse"
Larry laughed shortly. What
they are after is a hand in the
treasure
"But isn't that taken care of
In the concession contract father
made with the governory" .4n..e
asked.
Philip shook his head. mot
specifically. We didn't know any
thing about Shy-a Mayo when
we came. Neither did the Off
Gals
I'VE don't know yet,n declared
Larry. s.I sometimes think it's all
pipedream."
aIf only father and mother are
safel" The men looked at Anne
pityingly. They had even graver
doubts than she.
Beth rose, suppressing a yawn.
Let's 60 to bed. This has been
an exciting day" They all wan
dered out to their tents. Anne
knew that each girl was anxious
TO see her alone to learn whether
she was willing TO tell any more
that Blaze had said in his letter.
She had been lodging them all
afternoon. Now she felt an over
towering urge to get out among
the trees and absorb their peace.
& visit In me Dark 80
WHEN the camp had quoted
w down, she took blanket and
pillow and slipped out. Doddap
sat up when she appeared IN her
dark coat. There would be no
moon.
She turned her electric torch
on him. Pm going to sleep out
for a while" she said in low
voice. He gave her his bright
look.
yes, know
eff you know so much, shall I
have pleasant dreams" she asked
iestingly.
Don't be afraid, whatever
comes
She laughed. DOddap might
spool her, but she couldn't tease
him.
"Wear the dagger" She had
turned away and now looked
back, He repeated. Wear the dag
ger"
why. Doddap?"
1.-THE dagger guards YOU"
Don't you think I'll be safe?"
Eyes, but wear the dagger His
persistence impressed her in spite
of herself and she went back and
strapped the belt around her
waist.
Quietly, SO as not to disturb the
guards, she walked UP through
the cottonwood grove where the
trees were thickest. In q few min
utes she heard voices Diana's
tinkling laugh and a mans low
tones. Anne didn't care, but the
thought of infidelity sickened
her little. She was wondering
if she could circle round them
without revealing herself when
they came walking towards her.
made visible by Diana's white
dress. Anne froze behind tree.
They passed close enough for her
To rnrnnnizn phfIin and 10 hear.