Page:Harold Lamb--The House of the Falcon.djvu/303

 Unperceived by Edith, Donovan's powerful hand closed upon the collar of the major's uniform and he ceased with a cough. The girl was still surveying him accusingly. "Are you certain," she demanded, "that you aren't the least rich?" He smiled, without releasing his grasp on his companion.

"Absolutely—as you can see, Edith."

"Quite so," amended the Major, adjusting his collar.

"Then, that's all right!" She nodded approvingly, and then recalled her father's speech. "Dad! Aren't you coming with us? You are not thinking of staying here?" Arthur Rand's fine face hardened. "I reckon," he drawled, "I'll look for that cur, Monsey."

Upon the gathering of these four wanderers who had come to the world of the Hills each for sufficient reason, and just now happy at being united, advanced a smart Garhwali carrying a rifle. He stood at attention by Major Fraser-Carnie.

"Sahib, the camels come hither with riders."

They rose, and the major spoke a brief word to his men, seated at their meal some distance away. The troopers took up their arms instantly. In the silence that settled on the ravine Edith heard the clink-clank of rusty camel bells and the familiar pad-pad of soft feet. Through the trees she saw the moving shapes of clumsy beasts.

Donovan touched her arm, his eyes serious.

"Come, Edith." As he led her away from the brook, he observed quietly to Rand:

"Monsey has been found by—others."

The bells came nearer. Edith and Donovan were out of sight when a cloaked figure came down the ravine from the Kurgan, leading a long string of