Page:Doughty--Mirrikh or A woman from Mars.djvu/191

 anxious to find Ah Schow and give him warning, for I could see nothing of the faithful fellow in the yard.

I was gone perhaps ten minutes; time for the most part spent in search of the Chinaman, whom I found at last in the big room where our meals had been served. Hastily I told him of the danger and together we returned to the yard.

Here the situation had changed but little, except that instead of coming by splashes the water was now running over the wall in places in steady streams.

But where was the Doctor?

To my surprise I could see nothing of him, nor was old Padma visible. Beneath the big tree the lamas stood in silence, showing not the slightest emotion, each grinding away at his own private prayer wheel, the united clicks of  the different wheels making the most infernal din. At once the truth flashed upon me. The Doctor had availed himself of my absence to carry his purpose into effect.

I knew it—I was sure of it—I felt as certain of it as though I had seen him go.

Then I felt furious with the fellow, but now as I look back upon that trying hour, I do not know that I so much  blame him.

As he viewed the situation it was a question of life or death. He had given me my chance—I had refused to take it—he disposed of me for the moment to save further argument and had started on that strange journey alone.

Without pausing an instant I rushed into the temple, bounded around the big Buddha and down the stone stairs.

How deathly still the chamber was! How ghastly looked poor Maurice’s face as I flew past the altar beside which  Walla, with bowed head still crouched, as white and silent  as Maurice himself.

I rushed across to the stone door which still stood open. It was as I had supposed. The car was no longer there.

“Selfish pig!” I burst out. “If he has gone to his death he richly deserves it, yet upon my word I would scarcely  have had the courage—merciful God!”

You see I caught up the lamp as I approached the opening, and flashing it in saw that no more of the rope was visible than a dangling end, with broken strands hanging  down over the wheel.

Taking advantage of my absence the Doctor had gone—gone where?