The Challenge
"Garluk said that you had need of me," observed Timur, scanning him keenly.
"I have a word to say to you," corrected Gray quietly.
"It is said," he added as the old man was silent, "that the Kha Rakcha is to be asked in marriage by Gela, the Kha Khan. Is this so?"
"They said the truth. The wedding will be to-night, after sunset."
Gray's heart sank at this. He had hoped, illogically, that Garluk had exaggerated the state of affairs. Timur stretched out a lean hand. In it was a small square of linen, Mary's handkerchief.
The American took it eagerly. It was a message from Mary, written in the Chinese ink, and it ran as follows:
Bassalor Danek has ordered me to marry Gela. I have said no, a hundred times, but they will not listen It will be to-night. They will not let me see you. I don't know what to do, Captain Gray. Please, please think of something—to delay it. I did not dream they wanted to do anything like that. I would rather face Wu Fang Chien.
Why could not you come to me? Please, help me. Timur has agreed to carry this.
It was signed with Mary's name. The girlish appeal stirred Gray strangely. She had sent to him for aid. Yet there was little he could do. He followed the note mechanically and faced Timur, thinking quickly.
"In her own country," he said slowly, "the Kha
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