Rare Earth
"About the same as ever," was the reply. "I am still in darkness. I can see nothing."
Hung Long Tom shook his head. Once more hope had vanished, still it was perhaps too much to expect Pau Dah to perform a miracle where the renowned Steinlin had failed. Pau Dah was nothing more than a faker, a colorful faker, clever. He had slept and feasted. He had been rewarded with three precious stones. And he had walked majestically away while Scobee was sleeping. How he must be laughing now at his cleverness and their gullibility. Hung Long Tom had been victimized but he had no regrets. The chance that Pau Dah could help Scobee had been very slight but he took it because he wished nothing to be left undone that might help his
boy.
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