Cards on the Table
course, there will be some justifiable reprisals by my men."
"Entirely to be expected."
"You take the point. Merely one of the mountain feuds, if the worthy drill-book major tries to ask questions. The mosque may suffer, likewise the lawless residents of Yakka Arik. But I will not be here nor will Miss Rand."
"And my father?" Edith voiced her anxiety.
"If he is curious, he will be told by some of these natives"—Monsey nodded at the door—"that a certain renegade Britisher named Donovan Khan alias the Falcon has disappeared with her. Of course Captain Donovan will not be here to cause further trouble. The ravine, to the river, is very deep."
"Five hundred feet, I think," nodded Donovan.
"Exactly. I see you are not altogether a fool. Presently you will be able to judge for yourself."
"I regret that I could not climb the cliff."
"Oh, yes. I believe you. I took pains to investigate that. No, I think you are better apart—so!" Edith had crept to Donovan's side and taken his hand in hers. She was very near to tears. Brusquely, Monsey thrust her aside, while Abbas grinned. "That is well. Now, Donovan Khan, I will ask you to let your hands be bound behind your back and submit to an armed guard, in a corner of this outer room."
"Let me stay with him," Edith pleaded. She felt very weak, very helpless. She wondered why Donovan was so quiet.
"The air in the tower will benefit you. In case you should want to converse, my lady, I will provide you with another of my men. He will have orders."
