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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6029e1c --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #51608 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/51608) diff --git a/old/51608-0.txt b/old/51608-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 1229268..0000000 --- a/old/51608-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5590 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Mystery of the Chinese Ring, by Andy Adams - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Mystery of the Chinese Ring - A Biff Brewster Mystery Adventure - -Author: Andy Adams - -Release Date: March 31, 2016 [EBook #51608] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MYSTERY OF THE CHINESE RING *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Dave Morgan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -[Illustration: _The boys passed booths selling everything from hot soups -to shiny silks_] - - A BIFF BREWSTER - MYSTERY ADVENTURE - - - - - MYSTERY - OF THE - CHINESE - RING - - - [Illustration: Compass] - - By ANDY ADAMS - - - GROSSET & DUNLAP PUBLISHERS - NEW YORK - - © GROSSET & DUNLAP, INC., 1960 - - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - - - - - Contents - - - CHAPTER PAGE - I A Mysterious Gift 1 - II Beware, Biff! 8 - III Under Chinese Eyes 13 - IV A Fortune Cooky 22 - V Jack Hudson 31 - VI Interrupted Message 39 - VII A “Spirited” Box 49 - VIII Still Missing 55 - IX Into the Jungle 64 - X The Barrier 70 - XI Inside China 81 - XII Shooting the Yangtze Rapids 90 - XIII The First Clue 101 - XIV The Circling Plane 112 - XV Bandits! 120 - XVI Strange Discovery 128 - XVII A Red Hot Lead 135 - XVIII The House of Kwang 144 - XIX Uncle Charlie’s Story 152 - XX Muscles “Muscles” In 161 - XXI Out of the Frying Pan 168 - XXII Hong Kong and Points East 175 - - - - - MYSTERY OF THE CHINESE RING - - - - - CHAPTER 1 - A Mysterious Gift - - -Biff Brewster was suddenly awake—wide awake. The gray light of dawn -outlined the window of his first-floor bedroom. Something—or someone—was -outside. He felt sure of it. Something had prodded him out of his deep -sleep with startling suddenness. - -For a moment he lay still, eyes on the window, his ears sharply tuned -for the slightest sound. He knew, of course, that he might have been -awakened by a stray dog, or a night-prowling cat. But he didn’t think -so. - -Very carefully, Biff slipped out of his bed. Bare-footed, he padded -noiselessly toward the window, taking care to remain outside the dim -shaft of early light coming through. He moved to one side of the window -and peered out cautiously. He detected a slight movement beneath a -gnarled apple tree about thirty feet away. Then suddenly, swiftly, a -figure emerged from behind the protection of the tree’s drooping limbs. -The figure came at a run toward the window. It was a man, small and -slight of build. He was wearing blue jeans and a sweat shirt. On the -shirt’s front there was an athletic letter—Biff couldn’t make it out—cut -from luminous cloth, making it glow faintly in the dawn’s light. - -Biff drew back, pressing his body against the wall. A moment later a -white object, the size of a baseball, came hurtling into the room, -tearing a hole in the screen. It fell with a dull plop on Biff’s pillow. -Biff held his breath, waiting. The man was leaving the yard on the run. -At the sidewalk, he slowed to a casual saunter. Apparently he did not -want to risk attracting the attention of some early riser. - -Biff waited. He counted slowly to a hundred, to make sure his strange -visitor was gone. Once more he looked out the window. Nothing moved in -the eerie light of the dawn. Biff turned away. Had he waited a few -seconds longer, he would have seen two men leave the shadows of a corner -tree and stealthily follow the hurler of the object. - -Biff snapped on the reading light by his bed and picked up the object -that had been tossed through his window. It was a round white rock, one -of those used to outline his mother’s herb garden. More interesting was -the heavy piece of twine tied tightly around it. At the other end of the -twine was a ring. It was a man’s heavy ring, set with a square-cut green -stone. Biff examined it carefully. The stone was dull, not glittering. -He wasn’t sure, but he thought it was jade. He looked at the ring more -closely. On its face there was an intricately etched marking. “A -design?” he wondered. “No, it looks more like Chinese writing.” - -[Illustration: _Nothing moved in the eerie light of dawn_] - -Twisted into a knot around the ring was a small piece of paper. Biff -unfolded it carefully and smoothed it out. - -“_Fortune shines upon, and the gods protect, the wearer of this ring_,” -he read. - -“‘Protect!’” Biff thought angrily. “Why, that rock could have conked me -but good if I hadn’t left my bed.” - -Biff reread the printed message. “Now what, just what,” he thought, “has -this got to do with me?” He stretched out on his bed, cupping his hands -behind his head, and stared at the ceiling. Unable to read any sense -into the message, or the mysterious manner in which the ring had come to -him, Biff jumped out of bed and made for the shower. - -Under the pelting needlelike spray, he threw back his broad shoulders -and let the water sting his face and soak his light-brown hair. -Afterward he toweled himself vigorously, dressed quickly, and placed the -ring on his key chain. He knew his father would be up, even though it -was only six-thirty. Maybe his father would have some ideas about this -or, at least, a couple of good guesses. - -Biff bounded into the kitchen. - -“Morning, Dad. Say, what do you think happened—” He stopped short as he -saw his mother come out of the pantry. He didn’t want to mention the -ring incident in front of her. Not yet, anyway. Not until he had -discussed it with his father. He knew his mother already was worried -enough about his impending trip to far-off Rangoon. Tomorrow was the day -he was leaving. - -“Good morning, Biff,” his father greeted him. “What were you saying?” - -“Er—I was just saying it so happens I’m hungry enough to eat a -crocodile. Good morning, Mother. What’s for breakfast?” - -“Certainly not crocodile,” Mrs. Brewster replied. “Even if you and your -father do say crocodile steaks are delicious. Ugh!” She gave a quick -shudder. - -Father and son looked at one another and smiled. They had had to eat -crocodile on their Brazilian adventure when their food supplies had run -short. - -“What’s on the program this nice bright Saturday morning?” Biff’s mother -asked, putting large portions of scrambled eggs and bacon before Biff -and his father. - -Before a reply could be made, Biff’s brother and sister, Ted and Monica, -eleven-year-old twins, burst into the room. - -“Hi, Mom! Hi, Dad!” they shouted together. - -“Gee, Biff, just think, tomorrow you’ll be on your way to Rangoon in -Burma, to visit Uncle Charlie,” Ted said enviously. - -“Wish I could go, too,” Monica chimed in. - -“You! Why, you’re a girl,” Ted said derisively. - -“Now, no arguments, you two,” Mrs. Brewster said. “Drink your orange -juice. I’ll start your eggs.” - -“How far from Indianapolis is it to Rangoon?” Monica asked. - -“Quite a way. Six or seven thousand miles at least,” Mr. Brewster -replied. - -“You ever been there, Dad?” Ted asked. - -“No. I envy Biff. Rangoon is one of the places in this world I’ve missed -so far.” - -“And about the only one, Dad, isn’t it?” Biff asked. - -“There are a few others,” his father replied. “Maybe if I had started -out as young as you are, I’d have made them, too. For a -sixteen-year-old, you’ve been about this world of ours quite a bit, me -boy-o. Well, I’m all for it.” - -“I am too, Dad,” Biff agreed. “Remember the time in Brazil, when we—” - -“Hold it!” Mrs. Brewster interrupted, laughing. “Don’t you two get -started talking about your adventures. There’s just this one more day -before Biff leaves, and my goodness, what a lot has to be done!” - -Biff smiled. He knew there was hardly anything left to be done. His -mother had finished packing for him the day before. - -Just as Mrs. Brewster brought the twins their eggs, the telephone rang. -Monica started to get up. She answered every phone call. - -“You sit still and eat those eggs while they’re hot, young lady. I’ll -take the call,” Mrs. Brewster said. - -Biff and his father saw a puzzled look come over her face as she -answered the telephone. - -“Yes? I understand. This morning? All right, I’ll tell them.” - -When she returned to the breakfast table she said, “That was Charlie’s -friend, that Chinese merchant, Mr. Ling. Ling Tang, isn’t it?” - -“Why, yes. What did he want?” Tom Brewster asked. - -“He said it is most urgent that you and Biff see him before Biff leaves -for Rangoon.” - - - - - CHAPTER II - Beware, Biff! - - -“I think we’d better get down to Ling Tang’s shop this morning,” Mr. -Brewster said. “It must be something important for him to have called so -early. Especially if he knows Biff is leaving for Burma tomorrow.” - -Biff waited until his father had finished his second cup of coffee, and -then rose from the table. - -“All set, Dad?” he asked. “I’ll get the car.” - -Not until they were in the car did Biff bring up the subject of the -ring. - -“What do you think of this, Dad?” He took his key chain from his pocket, -removed the ring, and placed it in his father’s hand. - -Thomas Brewster looked at the ring carefully. “It’s a beautiful ring. -Jade. Where did you get it?” - -“Someone threw it at me this morning,” Biff said, a grin on his tanned -face. - -“Threw it at you? What do you mean?” - -Biff explained quickly, then handed the note to his father. - -“Read this.” - -Mr. Brewster read the words: “_Fortune shines upon, and the gods -protect, the wearer of this ring._” He looked back at his son, shaking -his head in puzzlement. - -“This is all? You haven’t any idea who the man was?” - -“Not the faintest, Dad.” - -“H-m-m.” Mr. Brewster studied the ring again. “Jade, and it looks -Chinese. That call from Ling Tang may be connected with this in some -way.” - -“Hey! Maybe you’ve hit on something!” Biff exclaimed. - -It was nine o’clock when Biff and his father entered the small Chinese -curio shop of Ling Tang. Ling Tang, a small, neat man in his middle -thirties, greeted them with a deep bow. - -“You honor my humble establishment by your presence,” he said. - -“Rather it is you who honor us by inviting us here,” Mr. Brewster -replied, falling easily into the polite form of greeting used by the -Chinese. - -Ling Tang’s shop was filled with graceful Chinese urns and vases, -beautifully decorated with green and red dragons, flowers, and -tree-filled valleys. Chinese fans hung from wires stretched from wall to -wall. In glass-covered cases were carved idols of jade and delicate -pieces of ivory. A heavy aroma of incense filled the small store. - -Ling Tang had attended Butler University in Indianapolis with Charles -Keene, the uncle Biff was going to visit. They had become close friends, -and this had led to a friendship with the entire Brewster family. On -graduating, Ling Tang had returned to China. After several years, when -the political atmosphere of Red China had put a stern, cruel check on -freedom of movement and freedom of speech, Ling Tang had fled his -beloved country and returned to America. He had opened his shop and -thrived. - -“We received your message, Tang,” Mr. Brewster said. - -Ling Tang placed the tips of his long, well-cared-for fingers together. - -“It is true that your son goes to Burma soon?” - -“Yes. Tomorrow.” - -Tang’s face remained expressionless. “Perhaps what I have to tell you is -of no importance. I do not wish to alarm you.” He paused. “This trip was -arranged several months ago?” - -Biff and his father nodded their heads. - -“And there has been no attempt to keep it secret?” - -“There was no need to,” Thomas Brewster stated. - -“I wonder. Was the boy’s trip not arranged when my good friend Charles -Keene visited here last?” - -“Yes. But I don’t see—” Biff began. - -“Your Uncle Charles had just returned from Cape Canaveral, had he not?” - -Biff nodded his head. Uncle Charlie had been in the Navy for several -years. He was a pilot in the squadron of planes assigned to tracking -missiles fired from the Cape into the South Atlantic. It was the -squadron’s task to recover the instrument-loaded nose cones dropped from -the powerful rockets. - -Uncle Charlie had bounced around the world quite a bit. He had flown a -fighter plane during the Korean conflict and had traveled as much as he -could about the Orient on his furlough time. He remained in the Navy -following Korea, and was delighted when he was assigned to Canaveral. -But after two years there, his traveling feet told him, “I want out.” So -he had resigned his commission to join an old pilot friend establishing -a fleet of planes for Explorations Unlimited, in Burma. Charles Keene -wanted badly to get back to the Orient. He was fascinated by the eastern -countries so different from his own. - -“I’m interested in the money, too,” he told the Brewster family on his -visit. “There’re plenty of American businesses building up in the -Orient. Flying for this outfit in Burma is real opportunity and big -money. I want some of both before I’m too old.” - -Explorations Unlimited had its headquarters at Unhao, on the Irrawaddy -River, northeast of Rangoon near the Chinese border. - -“Why don’t you ship Biff out to me for a few weeks?” Uncle Charlie had -suggested. “He could get a glimpse of the other side of the world—learn -a lot, too.” - -Those words had been music to Biff’s young ears. A family council had -been held, and it had been agreed that the trip would be a good way for -Biff to spend the remainder of his summer vacation. - -“About a month after your uncle’s visit,” Tang continued, “two men, -countrymen of mine, traveling on Burmese passports, arrived here. They -asked many questions about your uncle.” - -“I still don’t see what that has to do with Biff’s going to Rangoon,” -Mr. Brewster said. - -“I try your patience,” Tang said. “Now to my point. Only last night -these same two men came again to our city. This time, _they were most -curious about your son, Biff_.” - - - - - CHAPTER III - Under Chinese Eyes - - -“You said two men,” Biff repeated. “I’ll just bet you that one of them -was the joker who paid me a visit this morning!” - -“You had a visitor? Early this morning?” Ling Tang asked. - -“I’ll say I did. Not a visitor, though. A spy, maybe—sneaking around the -yard and—” - -“Hold it, Biff,” his father interrupted. “Why don’t you show Mr. Ling -what the intruder brought you?” - -“Brought me,” Biff muttered to himself as he opened the safety catch of -his key chain. “Some way to bring anything to someone!” He removed the -ring from a tangle of keys—to his foot-locker, his suitcase, a “secret” -box, and to several things he had long since forgotten about. Taking the -ring by the thick circle of gold, he held it out to the Chinese -gentleman. - -Ling took the ring in his thin hands. He looked at it carefully. - -“A beautiful piece of jade,” he murmured. Bringing the ring closer to -his eyes, he took a loupe—a jeweler’s magnifying glass—from his pocket -to inspect the ring more minutely. While he did this, Biff filled him in -on how the ring had been “delivered.” - -“Exquisitely carved,” Tang said, removing the loupe from his eye. - -“What’s carved on it?” Biff asked. - -“It’s the Chinese character which, roughly, would stand for the capital -letter ‘K.’” - -“Does that have any significance for you, Tang?” Mr. Brewster asked. - -“Indeed it does. This is the ring of the great House of Kwang. Before -the Communists took over, it was one of the richest and strongest houses -in all China. This ring was worn by the Great Lord of the house, and by -his sons, the young lords.” - -“It’s funny I should get one of them,” Biff said, laughing. “I’m no -young lord.” - -Ling Tang smiled. “Most mysterious, true,” he agreed. - -“And if they wanted to give me a ring, why didn’t they just send it to -me, instead of throwing it through my window and ruining the screen?” - -“You did receive it in a most dramatic fashion.” - -“You can bet all the tea in China I did,” Biff said. - -“Perhaps, young man,” Ling said, “you received it as you did, so that he -who presented it to you could keep his identity a secret. Even more -important”—Ling paused to drive home his point—“he did it to keep you -from seeing what he looked like.” - -Biff and his father exchanged concerned glances. - -“Were you acquainted with the House of Kwang? Did you know its master?” -Mr. Brewster asked. - -“It is an old, old family, once strong, once rich.” An expression of -sadness passed fleetingly across Tang’s face. “Until the Reds moved in -and made ruthless changes, the House of Kwang lived in the same age-old -feudal manner as had the founder of the family generations ago. They had -rich farm lands and houses of many courts. In the Old Lord’s house, he -who was called the Ancient One, there were more than a hundred courts. -In America you would call them apartments or suites. Each court had its -sleeping room. A room for eating. And a room, beautifully decorated with -a small fish pond in its center, where the lords of the house would go -to think and meditate and honor the memories of their fathers and their -fathers’ fathers.” - -“And this no longer exists?” Mr. Brewster asked his friend. - -“Gone. All gone. The farm lands divided up into small communes; the -mines, the grain-storage house snatched away. But the family still -clings together. They still resist. Many of them are in hiding from -local Red officials. The earthly possessions of the House of Kwang have -been torn from them. But the family is still a proud one. They aid one -another, even to helping the older members escape into the free world.” - -Thomas Brewster had been doing some heavy thinking. “Tang,” he said. -“Tell me this. In what part of China was the House of Kwang located?” - -“In the province of Yunnan, south and somewhat west of Kunming, the -capital of the province.” - -Mr. Brewster was creating the map of China in his mind’s eye. “That -would be near the border of Burma.” - -Ling Tang nodded his head gravely. - -“Not far from Unhao, on the Irrawaddy River?” Biff’s father inquired. - -“Your memory of China is excellent, my friend. Once the Old Lord, Tao -Kwang, made annual pilgrimages to Rangoon to visit the shrine of the -Gautama Buddha, the magnificent pagoda of Shwe Dagon.” - -Biff was beginning to put the pieces together. “I still don’t get it -loud and clear, but Uncle Charlie’s located at Unhao. That’s where I’m -going. And Uncle Charlie’s in Rangoon a lot, isn’t he?” - -“Yes, Biff. He is.” - -“But the ring—why would someone want me to have it? Do you suppose they -want me to take it with me?” - -“That, my boy, is the question we’d all like to have the answer to,” Mr. -Brewster replied. - -“Gosh. Maybe I shouldn’t take the ring with me.” - -Tang spoke up quickly. “Oh, but I think you should. Its manner of -delivery hints of peril. But its message speaks of fortune and safety.” - -Biff took the ring back. As he did so, a young, smiling Chinese entered -the store hurriedly. - -“So sorry, revered elder cousin, so sorry to be late. I change quickly -and take over my duties.” - -Tang smiled as the young Chinese hurried to the rear of the store. Biff -had noticed the young man was wearing jeans and a sweat shirt. On the -front of the shirt was the letter “K!” Biff turned and looked sharply -after him. - -“Who was that, sir?” Biff inquired of Ling Tang. - -“My young cousin—one of them,” Tang said. “He works afternoons for the -Kirby Ice Cream Co. He is much enthused about your game of soft ball. He -is of the team called the Kirby Koolers.” - -“Well, thanks for your information, Tang. Guess we’d better be going,” -Mr. Brewster said. - -“I’ll say hello to Uncle Charlie for you, Mr. Ling,” Biff said. - -“That will be most kind of you,” the Chinese replied. - -Both bowed to Ling Tang, and he returned their gesture with a deep bow -of his own. - -Biff and his father were thoughtful as they walked to their parked car. -Something was building. No doubt about that. But what? What was the -answer to, or the connection between, the spying stranger, the ring, and -Biff’s coming visit to his Uncle Charlie? The answers to those questions -were not to be found that day. - -At home, Mrs. Brewster’s first question was, “Biff, who ruined the -screen in your room?” - -Biff looked helplessly at his father, who merely shrugged his shoulders. - -“A rock, Mother. This morning, early. Fooling around....” - -“I thought, young man, you were old enough to know better than to toss -rocks around carelessly.” - -Biff heaved a sigh of relief. He was going to get out of this easily. -Neither he nor his father wanted to tell Mrs. Brewster the real reason -for the hole in the screen. They didn’t want to worry her. - -“Now,” Mrs. Brewster said briskly, “we’ve lots to do today. We’ll have -no time in the morning. We’ll have to leave for the airport early. Now -here’s what I want you to do, Biff....” - - -On the morning of his departure, Biff again woke early. He could hear -noises throughout the house and sniffed at the friendly smells of -breakfast being prepared. Everybody was up. They were all going with him -to the airport. Biff looked at his watch. It was nearly seven by the -time he was dressed. In one hour and fifteen minutes he would be -air-borne, on his way to Chicago, the first leg in a journey that would -take him halfway around the world. - -Breakfast was a funny kind of a meal that morning—not the food, but the -way the whole family acted. The twins, of course, kept up a steady, -excited chatter. Any trip to the airport made them bubble like a bottle -of pop. But Biff and his mother and father either all tried to talk at -the same time, or suddenly remained silent at the same time. - -“Biff gets all the breaks,” Ted complained. “Don’t see why I can’t go, -too.” - -“Because you’re too young, that’s why,” retorted his twin sister, -Monica. “You’re just eleven.” - -“You are, too,” the younger boy shot back. “Way you act, anybody’d think -you were older’n me.” - -“Your time will come, Ted,” Mr. Brewster said, acting as a peacemaker -between his youngest children. “When you’re five years older, like Biff, -the world will still be here. There’ll be plenty of chances for you to -spread your wings and fly.” - -“Right,” said Ted emphatically. “And I’ll go by rocket.” - -“But what about me? I’m a girl,” Monica wailed. - -“Yes, Tom. Answer that one,” Martha Brewster said with a laugh. “Don’t -worry, Monica,” she continued, “we women will show these men a thing or -two.” - -“Like what?” the girl said, pouting. - -“Like how fast you can get ready. Right now. We have to leave for the -airport.” - -As they drove into the busy terminal, Biff felt a lump in the pit of his -stomach. First signs of homesickness, he thought. It had happened -before. Biff always felt homesick at these last moments. But once he was -under way, the feeling left him. Except sometimes late at night, just -before he fell asleep. - -This time, though, it was different. This was the first time Biff was -going to be all on his own. Before, his adventures had been shared with -his father. True, he’d be with his Uncle Charlie, but as nice a guy as -Uncle Charlie was, uncles weren’t the same as fathers. - -Biff checked in and had his ticket cleared. At the gate, he ruffled his -brother’s hair, gave him a quick hug, and turned to Monica. He lifted -her off her feet and planted a big “smack” on her plump cheek. -Unashamedly, he embraced his mother in front of the crowded gate, then -turned to his father. - -The two shook hands, and Mr. Brewster placed a hand on Biff’s shoulder. - -“You have the ring in a safe place?” he asked softly. - -Biff nodded his head and touched his side trouser pocket. He had -fastened the key chain to a longer, stronger chain which was attached to -his belt loop. - -“I wouldn’t display it, Biff.” - -Biff nodded. He felt tears coming to his eyes, but he was through the -gate and up the plane’s loading platform before anyone could see them. -Moments later, the plane was taxiing out to the runway for the take-off. -Biff, looking through the window, could see his family waving. - -After the plane’s four engines had been warmed up and tested, the giant -airliner lurched forward, and in seconds was air-borne. First stop -Chicago. Change to a jetliner for San Francisco. Next stop Hawaii. Then -Tokyo, Hong Kong, and finally Rangoon. - -Biff unfastened his seat belt when the lighted sign snapped off, and -looked about him. The plane was only half filled. He glanced to the -rear, and his heart started pounding. Seated in the last seat on the -plane’s starboard side were two Chinese. They returned Biff’s stare -without expression. One of them, Biff noticed, seemed to have but one -good eye. The other eye was nothing but a thin slit. - - - - - CHAPTER IV - A Fortune Cooky - - -Biff’s connections at Chicago with the jetliner for San Francisco went -without a hitch. In less than an hour the sleek, silvery plane was in -the air, circling over the bustling city of Chicago. It pointed its -slender nose westward, and began a race with the sun to the Pacific -Ocean. - -The liner seemed to hang motionless over the broad plains of the West. -Even the towering peaks of the Rocky Mountains passed backward beneath -the plane slowly, as if the plane were barely moving, instead of slicing -through the air at nearly 700 miles per hour. - -Once they were in the air, Biff, as casually as he could, had let his -eyes sweep the length of the plane, trying to see if the two Chinese -were still with him. There were no Orientals on this flight. - -By early afternoon the plane had left the mountains behind it and was -starting its long glide to lose altitude as it neared San Francisco. Far -ahead, Biff could see the blue waters of the Pacific, sparkling under -the rays of the sun, now standing high in the sky. Before he realized -it, the plane was circling over San Francisco Bay. Biff saw the -beautiful Golden Gate Bridge, arching gracefully over the harbor. - -After a two-hour layover, during which time Biff’s papers and baggage -were cleared by customs, the boy boarded the plane which was to take him -to his final destination, Burma. - -The sun had a good lead on the plane by the time the huge airliner took -off. It would soon disappear over the horizon, and darkness would greet -the touch-down in Honolulu. - -Once the plane was over the water, Biff turned in his seat for a final -glance at his homeland. He could just see the hills of San Francisco, -fading rapidly behind him. As he turned more toward the front, his eye -was caught by two Chinese passengers. - -Biff looked at them closely. They were dressed in long, flowing robes. -The robes were brightly colored in greens and reds and were -gold-trimmed. Their wearers had tight skull caps worn low on their -foreheads, and each wore heavy, dark sun glasses. Could they be the same -two who had been on the plane with him from Indianapolis to Chicago? For -a closer look, Biff walked to the rear of the plane for a drink of -water. He stood just in back of the pair and inspected the men closely. -They could be the same men, he decided. But he couldn’t be sure. It was -difficult for him to tell one Chinese from another. And the change, if -these were the same two, from American clothes to Oriental, made such a -difference that it was impossible for Biff to be certain. - -Biff decided on a bold move. He stopped at the seat where the two -Orientals sat impassively, staring straight ahead. - -“I’m going to Rangoon,” he said, a friendly smile breaking out on his -face. “To a place very near the Chinese border. Are you going to -Rangoon, or Hong Kong?” - -There was no answer. - -“Don’t you speak English?” Biff asked. - -“I’m afraid they don’t,” a voice said behind him. - -Biff whirled. It was the stewardess. “Can I help you?” she asked. - -“No,” Biff said lamely. “I was just—er—just going to get a glass of -water.” - -The stewardess moved on. Biff downed the glass of water which he didn’t -need and started back to his seat. As he came to the side where the -Chinese were sitting, he decided to try a little trick. - -He bent toward the floor of the plane. - -“Is that your glasses case on the floor?” he asked. - -The Chinese in the outside seat bent forward. His hand reached down, -feeling by his feet. Then, quickly realizing he had given himself away, -he sat up straight, and stared ahead. - -A big smile of satisfaction decorated Biff’s face as he settled himself -in his seat. He knew one thing about them at least. They understood -English—but good! And they could have taken another airline from Chicago -to San Francisco. - -Biff’s swift flight was without further incident as the plane sped -across the Pacific. Then he was on the last leg—the flight from Hong -Kong to Rangoon. - -It was the middle of the afternoon, an hour after the take-off from Hong -Kong. Rangoon was still nearly three hours away. The stewardesses were -serving tea. With it they served almond cookies and, as a favor from the -air lines, each passenger received a fortune cooky, a small delicate -piece of folded, crisply cooked dough. Inside each fortune cooky was a -narrow ribbon of paper on which was printed a short saying—usually -humorous. Biff remembered them from the Chinese restaurant he went to -with the family every so often back in Indianapolis. - -He smiled as he remembered one he had once gotten. It had read: “Man who -count chickens before they hatch is egghead.” - -Biff finished his tea. He reached for the fortune cooky. Just as he did -so, someone lurched against his shoulder, upsetting the tray. Cup, -saucer, and fortune cooky fell to the floor. Both Biff and the awkward -passenger reached to pick up the scrambled tray. Biff’s eyes met his -helper’s—it was one of the two Chinese! There was no reason for him to -have stumbled. The plane was flying smoothly. It appeared to Biff that -the shoulder bumping had been intentional. - -“So sorry,” the Chinese said. His dark glasses glinted as he -straightened up. “Too bad. Fortune cooky smashed to bits. But slip of -paper still okay.” - -Smiling briefly, he handed Biff the slender slip of tissue paper, and -made his way hurriedly forward. - -Biff watched him go, still puzzled by the man’s action. The boy smoothed -out the slip. It had only a Chinese character scrawled on it. Through -the Chinese printing had been drawn a red “X.” “Now what the dickens is -this?” Biff thought. He started to crumple the paper, but something -about it held his attention. There was something familiar about it. Then -he had it. Carefully, he took out his key chain. He bent low, and -compared the character on the cooky slip with that on the surface of the -ring’s green stone. They were identical—the letter “K!”—the seal of the -lords of the House of Kwang. - -Was this a warning of some kind? Did the red “X” cancel out the -protection and good fortune the ring was supposed to insure? But why? -Why? Biff’s brain kept signaling that one word with its question mark. - -The plane climbed over the coastal mountains of Viet Nam, dropped down -to skim over the rice fields of Thailand, then swung out over the Bay of -Bengal for its approach to Rangoon. - -As the plane banked, Biff could see the many mouths of the Irrawaddy -River, spread out like long fingers from the broad, brown arm of the -river itself. - -The plane came low over the bay on its approach to the city, and Biff -could see the colorful sails of the _dhows_, the native craft which -dotted the harbor. Some of the sails were bright red, some dirty brown. -Many wore patches of every color of the rainbow. - -The plane followed the course of the Hlaing River, twenty-one miles -inland to the city of Rangoon. Standing out against the low, white -buildings, Biff saw the pagoda of Shwe Dagon, rising nearly 400 feet -skyward. It was entirely covered with gold leaf which glistened in the -setting sun. Then he remembered. Ling Tang had told him this was the -important shrine of Buddha where the head of the House of Kwang used to -worship. - -Biff stretched and twisted. In spite of the cooky accident and the red -“X,” he smiled. “Almost there, at last,” he said to the passing -stewardess. - -The long trip had been pleasant enough, but being confined to a plane -for three days and three nights had become monotonous. Just as soon as -he could, Biff bounded down the ramp from the airliner and ran eagerly -to the entrance of the airport terminal. - -Through the portal into the terminal, Biff was caught up in a swirling -mass of figures. Fat merchants, skinny students, long-robed mandarins, -ragged beggars, and men in the uniforms of all the world’s military -forces milled about the huge room. Biff searched the crowds, trying to -spot his Uncle Charlie. He was nowhere to be seen. - -Worried minutes followed. Then Biff saw a tall, very thin Oriental, -wearing a long, straight white robe approach. The man came up to Biff. -With hands clasped to his chest, he bowed low. - -“Sahib Brewster?” he asked. - -“I’m Biff Brewster,” the boy answered, thinking, “Gee, I’m a sahib!” - -“I come from Sahib Charles Keene. He had planned to meet you. However, -an emergency arose, and he had to fly to the north. But he should be -back at Unhao by the time we get there.” - -“Oh.” Biff was slightly shaken by this unexpected turn of events. “And -how do we get there, then?” - -“It is all arranged. Another pilot was dispatched to pick you up when -your uncle was unable to come himself. Come. If you will follow me, even -now the plane is ready.” The Oriental turned, and a path in the human -mass seemed to open for him. - -Biff followed, still not sure of this man. - -“Hey,” he called. “Wait a minute!” - -The Oriental paused and turned to the boy. - -“I’d like to know your name,” Biff said. “I don’t like calling people -just ‘hey.’” - -The Oriental’s puzzled expression changed to a slight smile as -understanding of Biff’s “hey” came to him. “I am called Nam Palung, head -of the servants in your uncle’s house.” - -“Okay, Nam. But what about getting through customs?” - -“That is all arranged. Your uncle is a man of much importance and -influence. Come. We must hurry before darkness spreads its mantle upon -the land.” - -Biff didn’t like being rushed like this. “Yeah, but what about my -luggage—my suitcase and trunk?” - -“Even now they precede us to the plane. All is cared for.” - -The whole business seemed a bit cockeyed to Biff, but then, shrugging -his shoulders, he followed Nam to the northern exit of the terminal. - -Nam walked quickly, his fast, short steps limited by the skirt of his -robe. Even so, Biff had to step up his pace to stay with the man. - -Suspicion again came to Biff as they left the terminal building and -appeared to be taking a direction away from the airport. - -“Look, Nam. Just where are we going? The airstrips are back that way.” - -“Those, Sahib Brewster,” Nam replied, “are for the commercial airlines -planes. Private planes, such as those used by Explorations Unlimited, -use a different part of the field.” - -Biff’s suspicions dropped a degree. Nam’s explanation made sense. His -suspicions dropped still further when Nam reached a jeep, and with a low -bow, indicated that Biff was to get in. - -An American jeep, Biff thought. They’re found everywhere. The small -vehicle represented home and safety to Biff. He hopped aboard, and Nam -took his place behind the wheel. Biff looked across the airport where a -mile away, several small planes were clustered. He figured that was -where they were heading. He heard a rustling behind him and turned -abruptly. In the jeep’s rear seat now sat, as if they had appeared out -of thin air, two more Orientals. Both were dressed like Nam. But, as -Biff looked at them more closely, he noticed that each man’s hand was -partly thrust into a fold of his robe, and each hand clasped the hilt of -a slender dagger. Biff turned to Nam, alarmed. - -“Who are those men—with knives—” His voice shook in spite of his attempt -to control it. - -Nam interrupted. His manner was no longer courteous, his voice no longer -smooth. His reply was stem and harsh. - -“You will remain silent. Any outcry, any attempt to escape, and my men -have been told to use those knives.” - - - - - CHAPTER V - Jack Hudson - - -Nam Palung meant business. There was no question about that. But Biff -had no intention of yielding without a struggle. He would make his -escape if at all possible. Right now, though, as his mind whirled trying -to think his way out of this predicament, it would be best to do exactly -as he had been told. - -Biff promised himself one thing. Once he was free of Nam Palung he, Biff -Brewster, was going to give himself, Biff Brewster, one swift kick. He -had been played for a sucker, a trusting, easy-to-take American, and he -had filled the role perfectly. How, he now thought, could he have been -so taken in? - -The jeep rolled across the field. Biff shot a sidelong glance at Nam -Palung. The jeep moved at a steady pace, not fast enough to attract -attention. It was headed toward a gate in the high wire fence -surrounding the airfield through which service trucks passed. He noticed -that the gate was blocked by an iron bar, raised to allow a vehicle to -pass underneath it. When raised, the bar on its upright poles looked -like a football goal post. - -As the jeep drew near and fell in line behind a truck and a small car, -Biff noticed the bar was raised just sufficiently to allow about a -foot’s clearance for the vehicle passing beneath. An idea came into -Biff’s head. He turned to look over his shoulder at his knife-bearing -guards. - -“Keep your head straight forward,” Nam ordered. “And no tricks as we -pass the gateman.” - -Biff watched the truck ahead pass through. It slowed down without -stopping as it passed under the raised bar. The bar was lowered to stop -position after the truck’s tail-gate went through. Next came the smaller -car, its roof much lower than the truck’s. Again the bar was raised, but -this time, just high enough to accommodate the car, leaving about two -feet between it and the car’s top. - -Now the jeep approached the bar barricade. The bar began rising slowly. -Biff watched it, his heart in his mouth. “Don’t let them raise it too -high,” he prayed. Biff leaned slightly forward, placing his weight on -his firmly planted feet. He tensed his leg and thigh muscles until they -felt like tightly coiled steel springs. - -The bar was about three feet higher than tall Nam’s head. Biff waited -until the front of the jeep was directly under the bar. Then he leaped -up as if he’d been blasted off a launching pad. His hands seized the -bar. Like a trapeze artist, he swung his body forward in a giant arc. At -the top of his swing, when his body was parallel to the ground, Biff -twisted his head, looking over his shoulder as his body started a swift -downward stroke. At the split second, he lashed out with his feet. One -foot struck the left knife-wielder square on the side of his head. The -man shot over the side of the jeep as if jerked by the hand of a giant. - -Biff’s other foot struck the second knife-wielder full in his chest, -toppling him out the back of the jeep. - -Now Biff was propelling himself into the backward arc of his swing. -Again his body came swiftly downward. He lashed at Nam, planting both -his feet solidly in the Oriental’s shoulders. Nam shot forward, his head -striking the windshield. - -Biff swung his body sideways, and dropped to the ground. He ran back -toward the terminal building, nearly half a mile away. After a hundred -yards, he slowed to catch his breath. Turning, he looked back at the -jeep. There was no need to run. Nam still lay sprawled over the steering -wheel. One of the knife-bearers was out of sight, apparently still -sprawled on the ground on the other side of the jeep. The other guard -was just rising from behind the jeep. Biff saw him stagger, still not -fully recovered. - -[Illustration: _He ran back toward the terminal building_] - -There would be no more trouble with those three, Biff said to himself. -Not right away, at any rate. The boy continued toward the terminal -building at a rapid walk. He didn’t run, no need to, and if he did, he -might attract attention. He might be stopped. Explanations would be -demanded. The gate-keeper might come up and describe what had happened. - -Biff needed time to think. What was his next move? - -“Guess I’ll have to play it by ear,” he told himself, and what, he -wondered, had happened to Uncle Charlie? Had he been waylaid by those -same three? - -Inside the teeming terminal building, Biff mingled with the constantly -moving crowds. He hoped he wouldn’t be noticeable, but there was little -chance of that. In his American clothes, gray slacks and open-necked -shirt, he was as noticeable as an Oriental dressed in mandarin clothes -would have been at the Indianapolis airport. - -There was only one thing to do, Biff decided. Go to the airline check-in -counter and see if any message had been left him by his uncle. The boy -approached the counter cautiously. He wanted to look around before -identifying himself. - -Biff sidled up to the counter. A tall, handsome man, about thirty years -old, was leaning over the counter, questioning the clerk intensely. He -was wearing white drill trousers and a white shirt open at the collar. A -well-shaped, close-cropped head topped a strong neck and broad -shoulders. He spoke to the clerk in a voice filled with authority. -Unless he was badly fooled again, Biff felt sure that this man was an -American, and there was something about him that the boy liked -immediately. - -“Hold it,” Biff told himself. “Let’s not jump too fast this time.” - -Standing behind the man, Biff saw him take out a worn wallet from his -hip pocket. - -“Now you listen to me. I’m Jack Hudson. I’m a pilot for Explorations -Unlimited. Here, take a look at my papers. I’m here to meet a boy named -Biff Brewster, and I want to know where he is. Right now!” - -The clerk leaned on the counter. He carefully inspected the list of -names on the paper in front of him. - -“So sorry. No name like one you say on this list.” - -“Is that your passenger manifest list?” the man, Jack Hudson, demanded. - -The clerk nodded his head. - -Without asking, without waiting, Hudson snatched the list from the man’s -hand. - -“Here. You can’t do that!” - -Hudson ignored the clerk. His eye ran down the list quickly. - -“And just what do you think this name is?” Hudson held his index finger -beside one of the names. - -“Oh, so sorry. I guess I no understand your talk.” - -“Fat chance,” Hudson said angrily. “Now you just tell me where that boy -is.” - -Biff had made up his mind. He couldn’t be mistaken in this man of -action. - -“I think you’re looking for me, sir,” Biff said and placed his hand on -Jack Hudson’s arm. - -Hudson swung around. He looked Biff up and down, slowly, carefully, -sizing him up, before answering. - -“If I weren’t so glad to see you, I’d ask where the devil you’ve been.” -Then, seeing Biff’s face fall, Hudson smiled, a warm, immediately -friendly smile. “But the important thing is I’ve found you.” - -“I guess it is mostly my fault that you’ve had trouble meeting me,” Biff -confessed. “I had a little mixup with—” He cut his sentence short. -Perhaps he had better wait until he got to know Jack Hudson better -before revealing all the mysterious happenings that had taken place from -that early hour in the morning four days ago, back in Indianapolis. - -“Well, part of it’s my fault, too,” Jack said. “Or the weather’s. Coming -in from Unhao, I ran into a terrific headwind. Should have allowed for -it. These winds spring up all the time in these parts. I was late. But -come on now, we’ve got to clear you with customs and get your gear.” - -Jack Hudson, with a forcefulness sharp enough to cut any red tape, -literally bulldozed Biff through a maze of inspections, checks, and -rechecks. - -“I’m slipping,” he grinned at Biff when the boy had been cleared. “Took -me thirty-one minutes. My record’s twenty-nine. Come on. We’ve got to -make with the plane back to Unhao. Fast. Lots to be done.” - -“That sure suits me. I’m anxious to see my uncle.” - -“Hope he’s there when we get back.” A frown creased Jack’s face as he -spoke. - -“He will be, won’t he? That’s what I was told, that the emergency came -up quickly and—” Biff ended his sentence feeling foolish. He suddenly -remembered who had told him the story. - -“Emergency? I don’t know of any emergency. Your uncle wasn’t even in -Unhao today. It was arranged for me to pick you up before he left.” - -“Before he left? What do you mean?” Biff was getting puzzled. - -“Your uncle flew out of Unhao over a week ago.” - - - - - CHAPTER VI - Interrupted Message - - -Darkness had spread over the airfield by the time Biff and Jack Hudson -reached the “Explorations” plane. It was a twin-engine Cessna, a -five-passenger, capable of a speed of 250 miles per hour. - -“Hop in, Biff,” Jack said. “Be my co-pilot.” - -Jack stowed Biff’s gear, and took his place in the pilot’s seat. As -quick to action as Hudson was, he was also a sober, careful pilot. He -warmed up the plane’s motors. He tested the wing flaps. He made a -thorough instrument check. Then he called the tower for take-off -instructions. - -The plane moved to its assigned runway. Once more Jack revved up his -engines. Then, the brakes released, the plane started rolling down the -runway. Once it was air-borne, Jack put the plane in a steep climb, made -a wide circle over the city of Rangoon, then headed north, following the -Irrawaddy River. - -“How long before we get there?” Biff asked. - -“About four hours. If we don’t hit any weather. Unhao’s about fifty -miles north of Myitkyina. ’Bout eleven hundred miles from here.” - -“How big’s Unhao. Is it much of a place?” Biff asked. - -Jack grinned. “Take a look back at Rangoon. That’s the last civilization -you’re going to see for a while.” - -The plane sped through the night. As the moon rose out of the South -China Sea, its light turned the Irrawaddy River, thousands of feet -below, into a slender silvery ribbon, reflecting the moon’s rays like a -long sliver of mirror. - -Jack Hudson put the plane on automatic pilot. He reached behind him and -brought out two boxes. He handed one to Biff. - -“Hungry?” - -Biff hadn’t thought about eating. But now, he realized he was ravenous. -“I’ll say I am. Thanks a lot.” He practically tore open the box and -chomped on the sandwiches with an appetite that made Jack wonder when -the boy had last eaten. - -Just before midnight, Hudson switched on the plane’s radio transmitter -and called the landing strip at Unhao. - -“Keep your eyes dead ahead for the next few minutes,” he told Biff. “I -always get a thrill out of it.” - -Biff did as he was told. He peered intently through the windshield into -the night. Clouds had obscured the moon, and all was darkness. Not a -light could be seen anywhere. - -Suddenly, as if by magic, the letter “X” blazed out of the jungle, -twenty miles ahead. It was so startling that Biff gasped in amazement. - -“Our landing field. I told them we’d be in in about ten minutes and to -turn on the lights. We have two runways. One from southwest to -northeast. The other from southeast to northwest. They bisect in the -center, forming a perfect ‘X.’ I think it’s a wonderful sight.” - -“It sure is,” Biff replied. - -For the next few minutes, Jack’s entire attention was devoted to the -landing. The plane swooped out of the dark, flashed over the landing -field, circled and entered its final glide path. Biff felt the lurch -which told him they had touched down. Jack taxied the plane toward the -hangars. - -“Well, here we are,” he said to Biff. “Welcome to Unhao.” - -Despite the excitement of landing in this strange isolated spot in Upper -Burma, Biff couldn’t hold back a yawn. He was just plain, dog-tired. It -had been four nights since he had slept in a bed. Oh, he had slept. But -sleeping in a sitting position, he told himself, would never replace the -good, old stretch-out type of snooze. - -Native servants swarmed around the plane. Biff and his gear were -deposited in a jeep standing by. Jack hopped behind the wheel. The jeep, -with natives clinging to every possible foot and hand-hold, headed -through the night toward Headquarters House, a quarter of a mile away. - -Headquarters House was a combination office, communications center, and -living quarters for the staff of Explorations Unlimited. Sleeping rooms, -resembling those of Bachelor Officers’ Quarters on an army post, filled -one ell of the building. Into one of these went Biff. Moments after his -head hit the pillow, he was in a deep sleep, in spite of the murky heat -that was unrelieved by the lateness of the night. - -Around five o’clock in the morning, as dawn was transforming the -night-blackened jungle into a greenish maze, Biff was awakened by the -sound of running feet passing his door. These were followed by others. -The whole building seemed to spring to life. Something was up. - -Biff jumped out of bed. First he went to the window. Looking out, he saw -a tremendous animal faintly outlined in the morning mists not more than -thirty feet away. Just as he was about to call out, he saw the floppy -ears and the swaying trunk of the animal raise toward the sky, and let -go with a trumpeting that rattled the windows. Biff had to smile at -himself. What was an elephant doing wandering around loose at that time -of the morning? “Some difference from home,” he thought. - -Biff dressed quickly. He hurried down the hallway toward the center of -Headquarters House. Sounds of activity came from the communications -center. He paused in the doorway. Jack Hudson and two other men were -bunched together around a short-wave receiver. Static crackled -throughout the room. One of the men picked up a hand microphone. - -“This is H H One, calling. This is Happy Harry One calling X 0369. Come -in X 0369. Repeat: Come in X 0369. We were beginning to read you. -Acknowledge. Do you read us?” - -His answer was a roar of static. - -Jack Hudson shook his head. His concern and the intense looks on the -faces of the other men told Biff they were troubled. - -“Was it Keene, Mike?” Jack demanded. “Was it Charlie?” - -Biff heard Jack’s question, and he felt a sudden pang of fear. - -The radio operator, Mike Dawson, shook his head. “I can’t say for sure. -I think it must have been. But the voice was so faint. And the static—” - -“Could you make out anything? Any of the words?” Jack’s voice was -insistent. - -Mike shook his head worriedly. “The sender didn’t identify. I did think -I caught some of the words, but I can’t say for sure—” - -“Well, what were they, man? What were they?” - -“I—I thought he said, ‘They’re coming for me.... My position is lati—’ -And right then transmission broke off completely. That’s when I buzzed -your rooms. I’ve been working this mike ever since. And getting nothing. -But nothing.” - -Biff stepped into the room. He crossed to the three men. - -“Was that my uncle you were talking about?” - -Mike and the other man looked at Jack Hudson. It was obvious that they -wouldn’t speak unless he gave them the go-ahead. Jack looked at Biff. He -didn’t reply at once. Then, having reached his decision, he answered. - -“Yes, Biff. I’m afraid it was.” - -“_Afraid?_” Biff felt a tingle of fear race up his spine. “What do you -mean? Is my uncle in danger?” - -Jack Hudson’s shoulders sagged. He shook his head as if trying to rid -himself of unpleasant thoughts. “Come along, Biff. I’ll tell you about -it over some coffee.” At the door, he turned back. “Keep trying, Mike. -You might raise him. And if you do—” - -“I’ll buzz you fast.” - -In the mess hall, the servants had already set the breakfast table. Two -of them padded about the room silently on their bare feet. Biff sat down -to a plate containing an oval-shaped, reddish fruit, streaked with -white. - -“It’s the fruit of the durian tree. Try it. We think it’s delicious. If -you don’t like it, though, there’s fresh pineapple or guava.” - -The taste was like nothing Biff had ever eaten before. He didn’t know -whether he liked it or not. And he didn’t care. There were more -important things than breakfast fruit right now. - -“Tell me about Uncle Charlie.” - -Jack sipped some coffee. “I’ll tell you what I can, Biff. It won’t be -much. I don’t know it all myself. I know where he went, and I think I -know why. The why is what I can’t tell you.” - -“Was there danger in this trip of Uncle Charlie’s?” - -“Danger? Perhaps. Always dangerous crossing the border. But Charlie -should have been able to handle it.” - -Biff felt his heart pound. - -“Your uncle left here exactly eight days ago. He left early in the -morning. He needed the cover of night to fly across the border.” - -“The border? What border?” Biff asked. - -“The border into Red China. That border’s closed, you know, especially -to Americans.” - -Jack paused to light a cigarette. - -“He took off in a light, four-place plane. It’s the type plane that -Charlie could land or take off in on a dime. It carried extra fuel -tanks.” - -“How long did he expect to be gone?” - -“He didn’t know for certain. Not more than four or five days, he said.” - -Four or five days, Biff thought. And eight days had passed. - -“We’ve been expecting him, Watching for him. I’ve flown from dawn to -daylight myself the last three days, hoping to spot him or his plane, if -he was forced down. Nothing. He didn’t break radio silence once from the -time he left.” - -“Until this morning,” Biff cut in. - -“Yes. Until this morning. If that was Charlie.” - -“Have you any idea where he was going in China?” Jack shook his head. -“Not exactly. With the extra tanks, he had fuel for about twelve hundred -miles. So, since he had to return, he must have expected to find what he -was looking for not more than five hundred miles inside China.” - -“And you can’t tell me your ideas of what his search was for?” - -Jack hesitated. “All I could tell you would be the results of my own -speculations. Your uncle was at Cape Canaveral, as you know, and he must -know a lot about guided missiles. He was one of the Navy’s top young -officers. Well—put your thinking cap on. Maybe between us we can come up -with something.” - -Biff thought hard. There were many parts to this puzzle. He thought he -himself was probably one of them. But fitting them together into an -answer—that would take more than minutes, hours, or even days to do. Too -many important parts of the puzzle were still missing. Biff thought that -perhaps now he should fill Jack in on his own small mystery. His hand -went to his key chain and touched the jade ring. He made a decision. He -wouldn’t mention the ring. He would only tell Jack about what had -happened when he arrived at the Rangoon airport. - -Quickly he told Jack the story. As he poured it out rapidly, Jack’s look -of worried concern deepened. - -“There must be some connection. Charlie disappears, and you’re almost -kidnaped. Describe the man again.” - -Biff sketched the three men in as best he could. “I only saw the one -called Nam Pulang closely. He said he was the Number One man here at -Explorations.” - -“Never heard of him. Was he Chinese, or Burmese?” - -“I’d say Chinese,” Biff answered. “Although I don’t really know how -Burmese look.” - -Jack was thoughtful. - -“But Jack,” Biff said, “we’re not just going to sit here, are we? Can’t -we do something? Can’t we go into China and find Uncle Charlie?” - -“Go into China? Impossible. You get any such idea out of your head.” - -That idea, though, was very much in Biff’s head. The idea had been -growing from the moment he first heard of his uncle’s disappearance. - -“I mean that,” Jack said. “You have no idea of the difficulty in -crossing the border. It’s patroled night and day. And the border guards -shoot to kill.” - -Man and boy sat in silence, both deep in thought. The silence was -suddenly broken. A native boy about Biff’s age, but smaller, came -running into the room. - -“Sahib Jack! Come on run! Come on run! Quick! Quick!” He ran out of the -room. - -Biff and Jack were at his heels. - - - - - CHAPTER VII - A “Spirited” Box - - -The native boy raced across the open compound toward the group of low -buildings where the servants slept. Jack and Biff ran side by side, ten -feet behind the boy. - -“What is it, Chuba? What is it?” Jack called. But the boy didn’t answer -until he reached the door of one of the small white cabins. There he -stopped, gasping for breath, and turned to Jack and Biff. His face was -contorted with fear; his eyes were opened wide and filled with terror. - -“Now get hold of yourself, Chuba. Steady. We’re right here. What’s -inside your cabin that’s so frightening?” - -Chuba’s voice trembled as he spoke. “The evil ones. They come. They come -to punish Chuba and the father of Chuba.” - -“The evil ones? What are you talking about?” Jack’s voice was firm, but -his tone was kind. He had to quiet this boy’s fears. - -“It has been spoken,” Chuba said, his voice trembling. “Many, many years -ago, the gods spoke to the ancestors of my father. They said”—and here -the boy’s voice almost broke—“they said that evil will befall any member -of the House of Chin Fu who leaves his land to become a slave of the -white man.” - -Biff watched the boy. He felt sympathy toward him, yet it was hard for -Biff to believe that such superstitious beliefs could still cast their -spell in these modern days. - -“That’s nonsense, Chuba. You and your father are not slaves. You are -honorable workers. Without your help, we could not live here. You are -well paid, and you hold positions of responsibility and dignity. Enough -of this. Just what is inside your cabin?” - -“Chuba not know. But is bad. Very bad. It is voices of the evil ones, -casting spell on Chuba and his honorable father.” - -“All right. Come on and show us what it is.” - -“Please, Sahib Jack. You to go first.” - -“Okay. Come on, Biff.” - -Jack and Biff entered the one-room cabin. It was small, but comfortably -furnished. Beds stood against the walls on either side of the room. At -the rear there was a small, compact kitchen. Biff and Jack inspected the -room quickly. They saw nothing unusual. - -Chuba stood behind them, standing on tiptoes. - -“There!” he said. “Watch, and you shall hear evil spirits.” He pointed -to a small box on the floor by one of the beds. - -As they watched, a low growl came from the box. The growl grew louder. -It became a wail. Then it turned into the high, piercing scream of a -siren. It held this chilling, blood-curdling pitch for about ten -seconds. Then the lid of the box slowly raised. A yellowish hand -emerged. It bent over the front of the box. One finger touched a small -button. The high scream dropped down to a wail, then to a growl, then -stopped. The hand withdrew into the box. The lid closed. All was silent -again. - -Biff put a restraining hand on Chuba, keeping the boy from fleeing in -terror. On Biff’s face a slow grin was spreading. He wanted to laugh, -but one glance at Chuba’s stricken face stopped him. This was a serious -thing to Chuba. Chuba would feel Biff was laughing at him, insulting -him. - -Jack stared at the box in amazement. “Now just what on earth is that -thing?” He scratched his head. Biff started across the room toward the -box. - -“Hold it, Biff. We don’t know what that gadget might be. Might be a -bomb.” - -Now Biff did laugh. Even Jack was concerned. Not terror-stricken like -Chuba, but the weird performance of the box had undoubtedly alarmed -Jack. - -Biff reached for the box, bent over, and picked it up. Chuba cowered -behind Jack. But the native boy’s curiosity got the better of him. He -watched Biff’s every move, his eyes wide. - -“It’s only a toy, Jack,” Biff said. “My kid brother got one last -Christmas. It was the newest thing out. Caused a sensation.” - -“Let me take a look at it,” Jack said, and Biff handed it to him. - -A great feeling of relief had come over Biff. When Chuba had come -rushing in, crying out in a voice filled with fright, Biff had figured -that another in the series of strange happenings had taken place. To -discover that all the excitement was only about a toy relaxed Biff -completely for the first time since he had arrived in the Orient. - -Jack inspected the toy somewhat gingerly. “How does it work?” - -Biff took the box back. “Look. I’ll show you.” He raised the lid of the -box, and as he did so, Chuba took a step back. He was taking no chances -with evil spirits even if the Americans did. Jack’s and Biff’s heads -were together inspecting the box. This was too much for Chuba. He had to -see, too. He cautiously poked his head forward for a closer look. - -“See this small siren? That’s where the noises come from. The toy has -two small batteries, like the ones used in a transistor radio. They -power this small motor, and it does the rest. Raises the lid and makes -this hand snake out.” - -Biff looked at Chuba and smiled. A shy, friendly grin lit up the native -boy’s face. “Want to see it work with the lid open?” - -Chuba nodded his head rapidly. - -Biff set the toy in motion. The siren reached its high pitch. The hand, -attached to the end of a small iron rod, snaked out, flopped over the -front side of the box, and touched the cut-off button. - -“That’s all there is to it. Some gadget, isn’t it?” - -Jack laughed. “I can see how it must have been the toy sensation of last -Christmas. I can also see why it scared the daylights out of Chuba. It -would scare me, too, if it woke me from a sound sleep.” - -“That’s what happen, Sahib Jack. I sleep deep. This thing start -screaming. Chuba jump, run fast, plenty scared, for help.” - -“I suppose once it’s turned on, it keeps operating until the batteries -run out.” - -“That’s right,” Biff said. “Its action is set so it goes off once about -every three minutes. You turn it off here.” Biff pointed to a switch on -the bottom of the box. - -“But how it get in my father’s house this morning?” Chuba demanded. - -“I can answer that one.” Jack’s shoulders started shaking with laughter. -Biff started laughing, too, partly from relief, and partly because when -Jack laughed everyone joined in. Chuba, his eyes darting from Jack to -Biff, decided his worries had passed. He giggled shyly at first, then -added his high laugh to the chorus. The little white cabin shook with -their hilarity. - -“The ‘evil’ one, Chuba,” Jack said, “is a certain red-headed maintenance -mechanic called Muscles.” - -“Muscles! Him play another joke on Chuba. He much cool fellow. Him way -in.” - -“What’s this?” Biff thought. “Jive talk from a native boy? This kid’s -all right.” - -“You mean this Muscles is real cool; he’s way out, don’t you, Chuba?” -Biff asked. - -“That’s what Chuba say. He here, man, here.” - -Biff slapped his thighs and doubled up again with glee. Chuba’s mixed-up -talk was so far “gone,” it had come back to “here.” - -“How old are you, Chuba?” Jack asked. - -Chuba drew himself fully erect. He puffed out his chest. “Chuba soon be -sixteen.” - -“Aren’t you about the same, Biff?” Biff nodded his head. “Chuba, shake -hands with Biff Brewster. Biff’s Sahib Charlie’s nephew.” - -The boys shook hands. There was no doubt but that they took to one -another right off. - -“Chuba, you show Biff around. I’ve got to get back and see if Mike’s -been able to—” - -“I get it, Jack,” Biff said. - -The two boys watched Jack stride back to Headquarters House. - -“Come, Sahib Biff, I show you many things.” - -Biff didn’t reply at once. A plan was beginning to shape up in his head. -It would work, too, with the help of Chuba. - -“Okay, Chuba. But first off—cut out that sahib stuff. To you, I’m just -plain Biff.” - - - - - CHAPTER VIII - Still Missing - - -The friendship between Biff and Chuba developed rapidly. Chuba was an -odd boy, with his mixed-up jive talk, his quick Oriental mind, and his -desperate anxiety to be “like American kid.” He was half a head shorter -than Biff. He had long, black, wiry hair, usually plastered down with -smelly hair tonics. These he got from Muscles. The burly mechanic tried -every new hair conditioner that came along, in an attempt to control his -unruly light brown hair. Chuba’s skin was dark, so deeply tanned that -its yellowish tinge from his Chinese blood hardly showed. He looked more -Burmese than Chinese. - -His daily clothes were a pair of hand-me-down brown shorts and hand-made -sandals, ideal for the heavy, humid weather which turned the -jungle-enclosed camp into a smoking oven. The shorts Chuba got from the -Americans in the camp. Chuba did his own alterations on the shorts to -cut them down to his size. He was far from an expert tailor. One pair -had the left leg six inches longer than the right. Another pair, handed -down from a man with a forty-four-inch waist, gave Chuba a laughable -balloon effect in the rear, particularly when he ran. - -Biff’s second day at the camp in Unhao began with a visit to the -communications room. Mike Dawson, the radio operator, merely shook his -head at the question written on Biff’s face. - -No word from Uncle Charlie. - -Biff hurried through breakfast. He left Headquarters House, stepping -into a blazing sun already sending heat waves up from the brown dirt -surface of the camp. - -Chuba was waiting just outside the entrance to headquarters. - -“I hurry up this morning. Help my father. Now I can show you rest of -camp.” Chuba’s father was in charge of the servants in the camp. “My -father Number One Boss here,” Chuba told Biff proudly. - -The boys roamed around for more than an hour. Chuba chattered on as fast -as any of the monkeys scampering about the trees which fringed the camp. - -“Are there elephants around here?” Biff asked. “Yesterday morning I -thought I saw one out of my bedroom window.” - -“Sure. Sure. Much elephants. Wild ones.” Chuba grinned. “But one you saw -must be Suzie. She dig it here big. That means likes it here,” Chuba -explained. Biff smiled to himself. “When they clear jungle to make the -camp, many elephants used to push over trees, and pull them away. When -job is done, Suzie and Tiny, that’s the other elephant, they won’t -leave. So—who can make an elephant go when he no want to? They stay on.” - -“Where did you pick up all this jive talk, Chuba?” Biff asked. - -“Jive talk? You mean talk like American boys?” - -“They don’t all talk that way. Jive talk is American slang. Some boys -use it more than others.” - -“I learn it from Muscles. He has many magazines come to him by the mail -from United States. Many books of the comics, too. You like to meet up -with Muscles? He come back from Rangoon early this morning.” - -“I sure would,” Biff said. - -There was no mistaking Muscles. Biff spotted him as soon as they entered -the hangar. The plane maintenance mechanic, wearing only shorts, shoes, -and a long white mechanic’s coat, towered over the small natives whom he -was directing. Big was the word for Muscles. Biff could only compare him -with some of the giant linesmen he had seen play for the Chicago Bears -professional football team. He and his father went to the games in -Chicago every now and then. - -As the boys approached the plane Muscles was working on, they saw the -powerful man heave an oil drum off the floor as if it were made of -tissue paper. The drum could have weighed anywhere from one hundred to -three hundred pounds. He up-ended the drum, and a heavy stream of thick -oil flowed smoothly to the intake pipe. Muscles held the drum steadily -for a couple of minutes. - -“That ought to do it,” he said, and put the drum back on the floor. He -looked at the boys. - -“Well, now, if it isn’t my young friend and Number One boy Chuba. Hey, -did you have a visitor yesterday morning?” A big grin cracked across -Muscles’ face. It was clear that Muscles had a great liking for the -Chinese boy. - -“Friend? No friend,” Chuba replied. He didn’t want Muscles to think he -had been frightened by what Chuba now called his Evil Spirit Box. “I -find evil spirits in my room. They make with strange noises, like wild -animals howling.” - -“Yeah?” Muscles was all interest. “So what gave? Did the evil spirits -send you?” - -“I send them. I take evil spirit’s hand, shake it good, and evil -spirit’s howl become purr of pussycat.” - -“Didn’t scare you? Gosh, and that thing cost me twenty bucks to have it -sent out from the States.” Muscles was disappointed. Biff grinned. Chuba -had carried the thing off well. He wasn’t going to give Muscles the -satisfaction of knowing how really frightened he had been. - -“And you must be Biff Brewster.” Muscles turned away from Chuba. -“Charlie Keene’s nephew.” - -“You’re right the first time, Muscles. I’ve sure heard a lot about you. -Particularly from Chuba.” - -“I’m going to make an American kid out of that rascal, no matter what. -Say, I’m awfully sorry about your uncle.” He paused, as he saw a worried -look come over Biff’s face. Then he hurried on rapidly. “But don’t -worry. Charlie Keene can take care of himself. He always has. I was with -him in Korea, and I know. He’ll get back. If he doesn’t, we’ll go in and -get him.” - -Going into Red China to hunt for his uncle had been a thought growing -more and more prominent in Biff’s mind. If no word came from Uncle -Charlie soon, Biff knew that he couldn’t just sit around and wait any -longer. He’d have to do something. - -After a few more minutes of talk with Muscles, Biff and Chuba left the -hangar. Biff was silent as they walked across the hot field to the shade -of a small coconut palm grove. Chuba kept rattling on, but his words -just bounced off Biff’s ears. Biff seated himself against the leaning -trunk of a palm. - -“Sit down a minute, Chuba. I want to ask you some questions.” - -“Shoots. Chuba will make with the answers.” - -Biff frowned. “Tell me, just how tough would it be to slip across the -border into China?” - -“For Chuba, easy. Very easy. I do it many times.” - -“How about me? Think I could get across?” - -“Not by yourself. But with Chuba for Number One guide—” The native boy -shrugged his shoulders. “I know all trails. I know just where Red border -patrol guards strong, and where they guard weak. Afraid to guard some -places.” - -“Why is that?” - -“Wild animals. Black bears—fierce, big, kill a man with one big swipe -with paw. Also tigers and leopards. Snakes, too. All kinds. They hang -from trees. Big python slide off tree, wrap around man’s neck and—urgle -gurgle—” Chuba made a rattling noise in his throat. “No more man.” - -Biff swallowed hard. “And you go over the border in a place where all -the wild animals are?” - -“Sure,” Chuba boasted. “Chuba smell and see animals before they see -Chuba. Is safer to go into China that way.” - -“That way? Safer? What do you mean?” - -“Red patrol stays close to main road. Sometimes they let kids like me -through. But, if they angry, or their Big Boss chew ’em out, then they -don’t care whether you kid or not. They shoot you or catch you and make -you work like slave. Once you in slave labor camp, you never come back.” - -Biff was silent. - -“You think maybe you like to go in find your Uncle Charlie. Put snatch -on him from Red baddies?” - -“Something like that, Chuba. Think we could do it?” - -Chuba didn’t answer too quickly. His thin face was screwed up in -thought. “Be most rough. But we smart. Most patrol dumb. Maybe all go -well—maybe not—” - -Biff didn’t want to hear any more. His mind was made up. If they had a -fifty-fifty chance of finding Uncle Charlie, then that was all he -wanted. - -“Meet me back here in an hour, Chuba. I want to talk to Sahib Jack.” - -Biff found Jack Hudson in the communications center, pouring over a -large map of China. Biff moved to his side. - -“Trying to figure out where Charlie might be,” Jack said. He pointed to -a position on the map. - -“Now if you drew a line from Chungking to Chengtu, I’d say he was -somewhere west of that line.” - -Biff leaned closer. “Why do you think he’s in that area?” he asked. - -“Well, I do remember Charlie’s mentioning a small place called -Jaraminka. About two, maybe three weeks ago. He’d just received a letter -from his friend, Ling Tang, back in the States. Right after that, he -went into Rangoon for a few days. I do know that there’s a village by -that name somewhere in that area.” - -“Rough country?” Biff asked. - -“In spots. It’s north of the Yunnan plateau. In the foothills of Mt. -Minya Konka. And some of those foothills would be called mountains back -where you come from.” Jack smiled. - -“Anything else to go on?” Biff wanted to know. - -“Well, we do know how much gas Charlie was carrying. Enough for about -1,200 miles. He’d have to allow for a safety margin. As I told you, I -figure he planned on about 500 miles in, and 500 back, of course. That -would give him a 200-mile safety factor.” - -Jack leaned back against the map table, scratched his head, and lit a -cigarette. - -“Another thing ... that radio signal we got.” - -“You mean the one yesterday?” - -“Yes. Now if that was your uncle calling....” - -“You’re still not sure it was Uncle Charlie?” - -“Well, I guess I am. Let’s say it was. That’s another reason I figure -he’s over toward the mountain range.” - -“I’m not reading you too clearly right now,” Biff said. - -Jack laughed. “I’ll try to explain. Charlie had a portable radio -transmitter with him. A good one, battery operated. Its maximum range -would be about 500 miles under ideal conditions. That means he’d have to -have straight-line transmission.” - -“You mean nothing in the way, like a high mountain?” - -“That’s right, Biff. Transmission is greatly reduced if your wave has to -bend over hills or mountains.” - -“So you figure he’s got to be high enough to shoot a straight wave -directly to Unhao.” - -Jack nodded his head. “And the elevation around Jaraminka really fills -that bill—5,000 to 6,000 feet.” - -“How could he ever land in such rugged terrain?” Biff asked. - -“Plenty of small plateaus. Some of them have been cleared for farming.” - -Biff picked up a drawing compass. He adjusted its opening to fit the -five-hundred-mile mark on the scale of miles at the bottom of the map. -Then, placing the steel point on the dot marking Unhao, he swirled the -compass. The pencil end cut right through the area Jack was describing. - -“Nice figuring, Jack.” A faraway look floated across Biff’s face. - -“Hey! You’re not getting any ideas, are you?” Jack demanded. “An -American boy could never make it across the border. Natives, sure—but -you—never.” - -Maybe not, thought Biff, but in his thoughts, he was already there. - - - - - CHAPTER IX - Into the Jungle - - -A light-skinned boy could never make it. That thought, first suggested -by Chuba, restated by Jack Hudson, kept running through Biff’s head. The -Chinese Reds’ border patrol would spot a white boy instantly. Biff -remembered stories he had read of Americans captured in Red China. The -stories weren’t pleasant. - -Biff left Headquarters House deep in thought. He walked slowly across -the compound. Chuba was waiting for him in the palm grove. - -“Biff has big thoughts?” was Chuba’s greeting. “Maybe Chuba can help.” - -“Maybe you can, Chuba. Maybe you just can. I’ve got an idea. See what -you think of it.” - -For fifteen minutes Biff spoke to Chuba. At first, the native boy kept -shaking his head. Then, as Biff’s enthusiasm mounted, Chuba was swept up -by the idea. Negative shakes of his head became excited head shakes of -agreement. Chuba’s eyes lighted up. Now he cut in on Biff’s enthusiasm -with bursts of his own. He took over Biff’s plan, and added to it. Biff -was a hard one to resist when he became enthusiastic about anything he -wanted to do. And this he meant to do. - -“We can do it, Biff,” Chuba said. There was no holding the boy now. “I -get things ready on double quick. Have much ideas. But will take time.” - -“How much time?” Biff demanded. - -“Two hours—maybe three. Then you come to the house of my father. You -know, where you saw Evil Spirit Box. Chuba be all ready.” - -“Chuba, you’re a really smooth operator.” - -“Like real American boy?” - -“You said it.” - -Chuba’s mouth was split into a wide grin of pride. No praise could have -pleased him more. - - -Toward late afternoon, Jack Hudson ran his hand over his forehead. He -was tired. He hated paper work. All afternoon, he had been poring over -files, checking bills, answering letters. The work had to be done, but -he wished there was someone else to do it. Action, that’s what he liked. -Not sitting at a desk in a hot room. - -As cluttered as his mind was with facts and figures, the thought of his -missing friend, Charles Keene, kept coming back again and again. Jack -thought of Biff, too. He didn’t like the idea he felt sure was building -in Biff’s mind. Too risky, of course. But, he told himself, this sitting -around, just waiting, was getting him down too. - -With an impatient sweep of his arm, Jack shoved the papers away from -him. He stretched, got up, and made for the front entrance of -Headquarters House. On the raised platform, six steps above the ground, -Jack stopped to light a cigarette. As he did so, his attention was -caught by a beggar boy coming at a run across the compound. The boy -reached the foot of the steps and sprawled on the ground. - -“Baksheesh, Sahib! Baksheesh!” the boy wailed. - -Jack Hudson looked down at the boy, his feeling of disgust mingled with -one of sympathy. These poor kids, he thought, trained to beg from the -day they could walk. Baksheesh, the word for a tip, a present, was used -in many places in the East and Far East. - -“Baksheesh! Baksheesh!” the boy continued to moan. - -Jack looked about him. He spotted Chuba’s father. - -“Ti Pao. Come here. Chop! Chop!” - -Ti Pao came on the run. He could tell Sahib Hudson was annoyed. - -“You know my orders, Ti Pao. No beggars allowed in the compound. How did -this boy get in?” - -Ti Pao shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe slip through gate, or hide in -truck coming through.” - -“Well, get him out of here. You know that twice a week, we hand out food -and alms to the beggars. They are not to come inside.” - -“Baksheesh, Sahib! Baksheesh.” The plea came again. - -“Take him away, Ti Pao.” Jack Hudson turned, and started to reenter the -building. As he did so, the beggar said softly, “No baksheesh? Not even -Coke money?” - -Jack whirled around. The beggar boy was already heading for the gate. -Jack scratched his head. “I could have sworn he said— Nah! I must have -been hearing things. Must be the heat,” he mumbled to himself. He shook -his head and went through the door. - -The beggar boy neared the gate, then cut to the left. He raced through -the palm grove, then carefully, stealthily, made his way to the cabin of -Ti Pao. There was just a flash of brown, ragged clothing as he slipped -through the door. - -“It work. It work! Biff!” Chuba danced up and down in his excitement. - -The beggar boy grinned. It was the grin of a happy Biff Brewster. - -“I’ll say it worked. Even your father didn’t recognize me.” - -“Not Sahib Hudson, either?” - -Biff shook his head. “Nope. I fooled him completely. I even spoke some -American words. Course, I said them low, just as I was leaving. Don’t -know whether he heard them or not.” - -“Let me take closer look,” Chuba said. Biff turned slowly around as -Chuba made his inspection. - -“Is much okays. I only afraid sweat make betel nut juice get all -smeary.” - -“I was afraid of that, too, Chuba. But the stain didn’t run.” - -Biff looked as much like a native boy as Chuba did. The tattered shorts -and torn shirt that he wore had been dug up by the always astonishing -Chuba. Biff’s face, his body, his legs, were stained a light, yellowish -brown. This had been done with the juice of betel nuts, mixed and -thinned with still another liquid, to lighten the blackish fluid crushed -from the betel. - -On his feet, Biff wore floppy, torn sandals. - -“Only one thing, Biff. Your eyes. Should be more slanty. I fix.” - -Chuba took out a piece of charcoal. At the outside corners of each of -Biff’s eyes, Chuba deftly applied upward strokes with the charcoal. He -stepped back to view his handiwork. Then he went into a gale of -laughter. - -“You much China boy now. No one could tell difference.” - -“Just call me the Chop Suey Kid,” Biff laughed. - -“Chop Suey Kid? What’s chop suey?” - -“You never heard of it?” - -Chuba shook his head. - -“Well, back in America it’s our favorite Chinese food.” - -Chuba looked puzzled. He still didn’t get it. He shrugged it off. “Now, -we all set. No border guard ever spot you. Never tell you American boy.” - -Biff had passed his test. Neither Jack Hudson nor, even more important, -Ti Pao, had penetrated his disguise. - -“Okay then, Chuba. We’re all set. It’s still an hour before the night -mess call. I think we’d better be well on our way by then. I’ll be -missed when I don’t show up for chow. And Jack Hudson will guess where -I’ve headed. But by then, it will be too late, too dark, to start a -search. What about food, and other stuff?” - -“All set. Chuba has everything. Even bottle of juice in case you start -turning back into white boy. We got food for two days. After that, Chuba -get more wherever we are.” - -“All right, Chuba. Now I’m really going to let your father put me out -the gate. I’ll follow the river until I reach the second bend. Then I’ll -wait for you.” - -“All is good. Chuba be right after you. Not look good for me to leave -here with lowly beggar boy.” Chuba grinned, and Biff returned his smile. - -That night, by nine o’clock, the two boys were deep in the swampy jungle -between the Irrawaddy River and the border of China. - - - - - CHAPTER X - The Barrier - - -Night turned the Burmese jungle into a frightening enemy. Towering -trees, teak, acle, ironwood, shot straight upward, so close packed and -dense that they blotted out the starlit sky. - -Vines, some of them as thick as a man’s arm, were forever stretching low -across the boys’ path, as if trying to hold them back from their bold -venture. - -What bothered Biff most of all was the sickening smell of the jungle. -Rotted vegetation gave off a rank, stifling odor. Biff had been in the -jungles of Brazil, but they were nothing compared to the one he and -Chuba were forcing their way through. - -During the two hours they had traveled in the waning daylight, their -progress had been swift. Chuba knew the trails well. Sometimes, moving -at a trot several steps ahead of Biff, the native boy would seem to be -swallowed by hedges of low, thick brushwood. But he would reappear, -parting the thick growth so that Biff could follow. - -Moving swiftly, silently, without talking, to conserve their breath, -Biff was suddenly startled. From directly overhead came a chorus of -angry screams. Biff stopped and looked up. - -“Only monkeys, Biff,” Chuba called back. “We wake them from their sleep, -and they no like. Come.” - -Once again Chuba took up his steady pace. Thorny bushes grabbed at -Biff’s already tattered clothes. Ugly scratches marked his legs. Most -upsetting was the unexpected change from dry land into dank, oozing -swampland. Chuba never stopped, or gave any warning of what lay ahead. -Time and again the native boy plunged into a narrow stream. Once the -water, muddy, almost hot, came up to Biff’s waist. As he neared the -opposite bank, he halted a moment to look back. - -“Biff! Biff! Hurry! Out of the water!” - -Biff leaped for the bank just as a partly submerged log moved swiftly -through the water to the spot where he had been standing. As it reached -the bank, the “log’s” jaws opened, and Biff heard the chilling sound of -teeth gnashing together. - -“Crocodile, Biff. Never stop in stream. Old croc might be hungry.” - -“If he likes mud-flavored boy, I’m his dish,” Biff thought. - -[Illustration: _Biff heard the chilling sound of teeth gnashing -together_] - -After traveling for six hours with only brief rest breaks, the boys were -bone weary. Biff figured it must be midnight or a little after. They had -reached a small clearing, a circle about thirty feet across. Toward one -side a single ironwood tree rose high above the surrounding underbrush. - -“We stop here for the night,” Chuba said. “You ever sleep in a tree?” - -“Once. Didn’t find it very comfortable though. Do we have to?” - -“Is much better. This tree has nice big limbs. Find good crotch, settle -in it, and sleep real good. Too many animals on the ground. Animals and -insects. Big ants, geckos, even wild pigs. You know gecko? Is big, slimy -lizard. Wild pigs don’t care who they eat. And ants sting real bad. Much -better in tree.” - -Chuba stood at the base of the tree. “You give me push up to first limb. -Then I can give you my hand to pull you up. Come on.” - -Biff didn’t reply, or move. His eyes were intent on a vine that hung -down from one of the higher limbs. It seemed to sway slightly. But there -was no breeze. - -“Back, Chuba! Back!” Biff shouted. - -Chuba leaped backward. Biff, fascinated, watched the “vine” stretch -downward, then slither off the branch and plunge downward. - -“Python!” Chuba cried out. - -“Yes. Python. I’ve seen them before. Not pythons like that one, but -boas. Boa constrictors of South America. They’re of the same family.” - -The boys now stood in the center of the circle. The python, nearly -twenty feet long, seemed to stare at Biff and Chuba. Then it slowly -slithered into the underbrush. - -Biff looked at Chuba. The native boy lowered his head. “Is Chuba’s -mistake. Always, my father tell me to be sure and check sleeping tree -for python. Chuba forget this time. If Biff not so alert, maybe python -now be around Chuba’s neck instead of deep in forest.” - -“Any chance of its coming back? If it went up that tree once, why -shouldn’t it come up again? And with us up there!” - -“Oh, no. Once snake scared away, it not come back. This Chuba knows. -Python climb up tree to attack enemies by dropping down. Never climb up -to find enemies.” - -“Well, I just hope you’re right. Come on, let’s hop into our upper -berths.” - -“Upper berths?” Chuba asked. - -Biff explained, and the two boys climbed up the tree to their sleeping -quarters. Biff watched Chuba as he nestled down on a stout limb forming -a crotch with the trunk of the tree. Chuba stretched out backward, his -legs on either side of the tree trunk. Biff did the same. At first, the -position was most uncomfortable. Biff felt he had to keep his knees -tightly pressed against the tree trunk to keep from falling. Gradually, -though, he squirmed into a position where his legs dangled down, each -touching the trunk with just enough pressure to keep him balanced. - -Some bed, Biff thought. Then, his body aching from battling his way -through the jungle, Biff slept. - -Early in the morning, with the sun fighting to send its rays through the -dense jungle, Biff was awakened by a call from just above him. Chuba was -about five limbs higher up. - -“Good sleep, Biff?” Chuba called down. - -Before answering, Biff tested his cramped arms and legs. He was stiff -all over. Sleeping in a tree might be safe, but it certainly was no -featherbed. He knew though, that after half an hour in the hot, steamy -jungle, he would sweat all the stiffness out of his body. - -“Guess so. I slept, anyway,” he called up to Chuba. - -“Then we go down, and be on our way. We should reach border in two more -hours.” - -The sun had brightened the circular opening below, about the only spot -where the sun’s rays could get through. Biff heard Chuba scrambling down -from above him. Then he looked down and gasped. There in the center of -the circle, stretched out asleep, was the most magnificent animal he had -ever seen. - -“Hold it up there, Chuba,” Biff said softly. The scrambling stopped. -“Can you see down through the leaves?” - -Chuba’s answering gasp told him that he could. - -The animal below, enjoying a morning snooze, was a tiger. - -Both boys held their breath, afraid that even the slightest sound might -awaken the sleeping beast. Moments passed. Then, in a whisper, Biff -asked, “What do we do now?” - -Chuba’s answering whisper came down through the leaves. “We wait, Biff. -All we can do. If we try to scare him away, he get mad, wait for us to -fall out of tree and eat us.” - -Chuba’s knowledge, Biff realized, was mixed up with superstition and -tales handed down from one generation to another. Tigers, Biff knew, -were man-eaters only in certain circumstances. A wounded tiger would -attack a man. So would one so old that it could no longer get its food -easily. Then, man, less quick, less nimble than the animals tigers -usually fed on, could well become the evening meal of a tiger. - -Biff looked down at the sleeping animal. Its sleek, glistening fur told -him that this was a young tiger. Its white furry underbelly was puffed -out. That tiger had had a good meal, Biff knew. Probably caught his -breakfast just before daylight, and now he was having a nice nap in the -sun. - -“Is he still sleeping?” Chuba whispered. - -“Like a baby after its morning bottle,” Biff whispered back. Biff didn’t -think the tiger would sleep too long. Not as the morning sun rose -higher, and its fiery rays burned down on the opening. Once they hit Mr. -Tiger, the animal would move off to a shady spot and complete his rest. - -As Biff watched the animal, the jungle suddenly came alive with the -screeching, cawing, and screaming of hundreds of birds and animals. - -The tiger sat up quickly. It rose to its feet, its long tail switching -back and forth. Then it opened its mouth in a gaping yawn, showing -glistening white teeth and fangs. It turned its head from side to side, -looking to spot any danger. - -“That noise from the monkeys,” Chuba called down. “Or maybe wildcats. -They chasing the parrots. All very much mad at each other.” - -“Good for them,” Biff called back. “They woke up our friend down there. -I think old tiger’s going to move along.” - -Biff watched the tiger. He saw it stretch, arching its back very much -like any tomcat. It slowly trotted out of the clearing into the dense -undergrowth. - -“Tiger’s gone, Chuba. We’ll wait awhile, then let’s take off from here -fast.” - -Biff had no way of counting the passing minutes. He had left his watch -back at Unhao. It would be a fatal error, he knew, if a Chinese beggar -boy were spotted wearing a wrist watch. He forced himself to wait. He -wanted to be sure that the tiger was long gone to another sleeping spot. -The minutes went by as the sounds of the jungle grew louder and louder. -Crows added their angry caws to the symphony of sounds coming from -herons, silver pheasants, and other birds. - -“I think it’s safe now, Chuba. What do you think?” - -Biff’s answer was the sound of Chuba scrambling down from his perch. - -“Okay, Biff, we go.” - -The boys climbed down, dropping the final ten feet to the ground. Chuba -opened his bundle and took from it two handfuls of cooked rice. They ate -as they took up their trek once again, scooping up a handful of water -from the first clear stream they came to. - -After traveling an hour, by which time the sweat was pouring off Biff’s -body, soaking his ragged clothes, Chuba stopped. - -“We’re not far from border now, Biff. Maybe another hour, maybe less, -until we get there.” - -“And where we cross there won’t be any border guards?” Biff asked. - -“Chuba doesn’t think so. Main road where guard always patrols is south -of here, almost a day’s walk. Thus path we on leads to small, narrow -river. River is boundary between Burma and China. Where we cross is a -small clearing. River not deep there. Only up to knees. Easy to get to -other side.” - -The other side was China. The thought sent a thrilling chill through -Biff’s body. - -“We move with much quiet now,” Chuba said. “Stay close together. Might -be others at clearing. Not guards, but maybe Chinese bandits. They use -this path too, when they fleeing Chinese soldiers.” - -Biff and Chuba moved quickly but cautiously along the trail. Every few -yards, Chuba would stop, straining to catch any unusual sound that might -warn of danger ahead. At every hidden turn in the path, Chuba would -crawl forward, then signal to Biff that all was clear, to come ahead. - -“We’re almost there now,” Chuba whispered. “Around next bend in path, we -come to clearing and the river. Go slow now. Most careful.” - -The boys seemed to move ahead by inches. They neared the final bend. On -reaching it, Chuba slipped off the path, pressing his body behind a -large palm tree. Biff came up behind, looking over Chuba’s shoulder. -They craned their necks around the tree trunk until the edge of the -clearing came in sight. - -“Looks like it’s all clear,” Biff said. - -Chuba nodded his head. They left the protection of the tree. Darting -from one low bush to another, they came to the edge of the opening. All -was clear in the opening on their side of the river. Then, raising their -heads, they looked across the thirty feet of water separating them from -China. - -Both drew back quickly. Two men, wearing peaked, long-billed caps sat in -the middle of the clearing on the opposite bank. Red stars on the front -of their caps told the boys who they were. Not bandits, not others -seeking a safe passage from one country to the other. These two men were -members of the border patrol. The two ugly, snub-nosed sub-machine guns -were further proof, if further proof was necessary. - -Biff shot a quick look at Chuba. For the first time Biff saw fear—stark -terror—written on the native boy’s face. - - - - - CHAPTER XI - Inside China - - -Biff placed a hand on his friend’s arm. Why, Chuba was trembling! The -realization of Chuba’s fear of the border patrol was startling to Biff. -Chuba showed no such fear in the jungle. He wasn’t afraid of crocodiles, -snakes, or tigers. He respected them as man’s natural enemies. - -But now, confronted with the border guard, Chuba was near panic. Biff -thought back to Chuba’s talk about how easy it was to cross the border, -how he said he’d crossed several times. When they were discussing this -dangerous trip, Chuba had practically brushed the guards aside as no -problem. But the fear must have been there, just the same. Chuba was a -good actor. Biff realized just how much courage it must have taken on -Chuba’s part to agree to guide him into China. He gripped the native -boy’s arm in friendship and to reassure him. - -“Take it easy, Chuba. We’re all right. But let’s cut back down the trail -and figure out what we can do.” Biff flashed a smile at Chuba and -signaled the direction he meant to take. Chuba followed close on his -heels like a puppy. - -After retracing their steps for about one hundred yards down the path, -the boys ducked off the trail and found a hiding place behind a thick -clump of bushes. - -For a few moments Biff talked quietly. He talked about Indianapolis, his -home, about the United States. He talked about anything that came into -his head. He wanted to calm Chuba down. “American talk,” he thought, -would do the trick since it was Chuba’s favorite subject. Soon a weak -smile came over Chuba’s face. “I’m sorry, Biff,” he apologized. “I’m -sorry I act like chicken.” - -“That’s okay, Chuba. I’d have been scared, too, if I knew as much about -the border guard as you do.” - -“I hear many things. All bad.” - -“Tell me honestly, Chuba. You said you’ve crossed over several times. -Have you, really?” - -“Yes, Biff. Chuba not lie. Only,” he paused, “never any border guard -around when Chuba slip over before.” - -“I see. Well, what do we do about it? You think the guard will stay -there all day?” - -“Can’t tell. Much likely they will stay long time.” - -“I suppose so,” Biff said. He thought a minute. “It might be that -there’s been a lot of slipping across the border here lately, and these -guards have been assigned to stop it.” - -“I think you right, Biff.” - -Neither spoke for several minutes. Both were trying to figure a way out -of the spot they found themselves in. - -“How about this, Chuba? Couldn’t we either go up the river a couple -hundred yards or more, or down the river and slip across?” - -Chuba shook his head. “No, Biff. River narrow, run very quick on both -sides of the clearing. Too deep. Jungle grow real thick and fierce right -to water’s edge. Can’t get through.” - -“Well, we’ve just got to get across somehow. We’re losing time.” As Biff -spoke, another thought was building in his head. - -“Now let me ask you this, Chuba. See if you think this plan might work. -Supposing I cut off the trail about a hundred feet from the clearing. -I’ll make my way through the underbrush to a spot say seventy-five feet -away from the trail. You go hide behind that tree where we first spotted -the guard. You follow me?” - -“Okay so far.” - -“Right. Then I’ll yell like a Comanche. That ought to distract the -guard. They’ll try to find who’s making the noise. If they leave the -clearing, you can slip across the river.” - -“Good idea, Biff. But how about you? How you going to get across?” - -“Same way. Only this time _you_ do the distracting. You yell like a -Comanche.” - -Chuba grinned. “Could work. But how does Comanche bird yell?” - -Biff decided to postpone his lecture on TV westerns until another time. -“Don’t worry about it. Just yell like I do. We’ve got to try it. It’s -our only chance. Now, if you get across all right, wait. Wait a good -long time. By then, the guards will probably give up the search and -return to their post in the clearing. I don’t imagine they like prowling -around the jungle too much.” - -“No, too many wild animals.” - -“Okay. So, you’d better make your way a good distance from the clearing. -Say you go to a place about a hundred yards opposite the -river—downriver—so I’ll know where to listen for you. You’re going to be -on the same side as the guards, so be sure you’re in a safe place and -can make a fast getaway if they should come anywhere near you.” - -“Don’t worry about that. Chuba can hide good in jungle.” - -“All right, let’s get moving.” But neither moved for a few minutes. Both -boys were reluctant to part company. They knew the danger lying before -them. They might never see one another again, if Biff’s plan failed. - -“Now, where will we meet?” Biff asked. - -“You just keep running down path after you cross river. Get as far as -you can. Then find good hiding place. When I know guard has gone back to -clearing, I’ll move along trail making sound like a crow. Like this.” - -Chuba let out a soft “caw, caw.” It was an exact imitation. Chuba -wouldn’t have any trouble being a “Comanche bird,” either, Biff thought. - -“Good. I’m off.” Biff pushed his way into the underbrush. It was tough -going. The low, dense vegetation tore at him. Vines dropped like heavy -curtains from the tall trees hiding whatever lay ahead. It was steaming -hot. Biff wrestled the jungle growth, sweat streaming down his face and -body. It must have taken him nearly half an hour to penetrate a distance -of about 75 or 100 feet. - -Chuba could hear Biff making his way through the brush. At first, he -didn’t move. He knew he had to go back to the clearing, but the thought -was frightening. It took all his courage to force himself back up the -path. But he knew that if he didn’t, he would let his friend down. -Biff’s plan depended on Chuba’s being at the clearing at the right -moment. Yet, if the plan misfired—Chuba shuddered. - -Back at the edge of the clearing, Chuba crawled on his stomach to where -the low growth stopped. Carefully he parted the bush he lay behind. The -peephole allowed him a full view of the clearing. - -They were still there. The two guards squatted on their haunches. One -was munching some food. The other braced himself by holding onto the -barrel of his sub-machine gun, the gun’s butt resting on the ground. - -Chuba inched backward. He took up his position behind the tree. Biff’s -yelling could come any moment now. What would the guards do? Would they -come charging across the stream to do their searching? Chuba didn’t -think so. If they did, then they would be crossing the border illegally, -although Chuba knew that often the guards paid scant attention to this -regulation. - -What if only one guard took up the search, the other remaining behind to -guard the clearing? One good thing, Chuba knew, was that from the -direction Biff had taken, it might appear that the yelling came from the -same side of the river that the guards were on. There was a sharp turn -in the stream about thirty feet to the west of the clearing. If Biff -made his way toward the riverbank, he might actually be behind the -guards, but still on the side opposite from them. - -“Eeeeee-owieeeee!” - -The sharp, piercing scream rose above the constant chattering of the -monkeys, the shrill calls of jungle birds. For a moment, the jungle -became silent. The monkeys and birds were as startled as the two guards. -So _that_ was American bird yell! “Much wow!” Chuba was impressed. - -Chuba, moving slightly forward, saw the guards leap to their feet. They -looked about them quickly. Both released the safety catches on their -weapons. They raised their guns to firing position. - -“Eeeee-owieeeee!” Again the wild cry blasted through the jungle. - -The guards turned in the direction the cry came from. - -“Yow! Yow! Yow! Yow!” - -The series of short cries came in rapid succession. - -The jungle had never heard a sound like it. It could only come from a -human being. One of the guards motioned in the direction of the cries. -Then he started toward the spot. The other guard held back, until his -companion turned and spoke to him in an angry voice. The two plunged -into the undergrowth. - -Now was his chance. With his heart pounding, fear tightening his throat -muscles, Chuba made his dash. He was in mid-stream when once more Biff -let out a series of short cries, followed by a long “Eeeee-owieeee!” - -A good thing he did, too. His shouting drowned out the splashes made by -Chuba as he raced through the water which tugged at his legs. Now Chuba -had reached the opposite shore. He tore down the trail, his lungs -bursting from his effort. - -When he felt the guards were well behind him, Chuba cut off to the left -of the trail, spotted a hiding place, and dived under the sprawling -bush. He lay there gasping for breath. - -How long he lay there, Chuba had no way of telling. Finally, he forced -himself to his feet. Biff might already be at the tree, waiting for -Chuba to take over his part in the action. - -Chuba moved along the path back toward the river. He moved cautiously, -silently, making no more noise than a big cat stalking its prey. When he -neared the clearing, Chuba went down to his hands and knees. Taking -advantage of the cover offered by the low bushes, he crept forward. -Again carefully parting a heavy bush, he looked into the clearing. - -The guards had returned. They were talking rapidly to one another. Chuba -couldn’t make out their words, but he felt sure they were talking about -the strange cry they had heard. They were probably frightened by it, and -at this thought, Chuba smiled. He felt a lot better now. He had made it -over the border. But even as he had this thought, he remembered Biff. -Biff had to get across. Only half the job was done. - -Biff would surely be back at the tree by now. Time for more action. A -frown of doubt crossed Chuba’s face. Would the guard be fooled a second -time? - -Chuba went ahead with the plan. He walked back up the trail for one -hundred paces. Then he slithered into the underbrush, crawling, forcing -his way through the wall of thick, spiny growth. - -If he, Chuba, made the same kind of noise Biff had made, wouldn’t the -guards’ suspicions be aroused? Already they would be tense, nervous. -They hadn’t found anything the first time. Wouldn’t they just ignore a -second set of strange “Yows” and “Eeeee-owieeees?” Chuba felt sure they -would. So what could he do? He just had to help Biff cross. Okay, he -knew what he would do. He could outsmart the guard in the denseness of -the jungle. They would never be able to catch him. - -Chuba reached a position he thought would do. It was near the spot he -and Biff had discussed, as far as he could figure. He took a deep -breath, then, shouting in Chinese, he called out, “Help! Help! Strange -man here! Strange man! Help! Help!” - -He waited. Moments passed. He repeated his call for help. Seconds later, -he heard the crashing of the guards as they fought through the -underbrush. - -Chuba waited no longer. He got himself away from the spot where he had -called out as fast as he could wriggle his body along. He knew he had -made a safe getaway when he could no longer hear the guards struggling -against the brush. Chuba smiled to himself. He knew he was only about -fifty feet from the trail. He sat down. He would wait, a long wait this -time, to make sure the guard had gotten back to the clearing, and that -Biff had had plenty of time to put a good distance between himself and -the river. - -Chuba leaned back against the base of a tree. He felt good about the way -things had gone. - -Suddenly, the noises of the jungle were drowned out by the most horrible -noise of all—the angry, “_bup_, _bup_, _bup_” of a sub-machine gun’s -fire. First there was a short burst. Another short burst. This was -followed by a longer burst as several rounds were fired. Then, silence. - - - - - CHAPTER XII - Shooting the Yangtze Rapids - - -Eerie silence spread over the jungle following the machine-gun firing. -The jungle was holding its breath. The monkeys, birds, even the cicadas, -stopped their endless chattering and calling for several moments. Chuba -sat rigid, his fists clenched, as fear tore at his nerves. Biff! What -had happened to his friend Biff? - -What could he do? What was there to do? The questions whirled in his -head. No sensible answers came. If he went back down the trail toward -the river, he might run into the guards, still prowling, ready to let -loose their deadly spray of bullets at the slightest strange sound or -movement. But what about Biff? Had those shots been directed at him? And -had they reached him? Chuba shuddered at the thought. - -After waiting as long as his worried mind would permit him, Chuba -decided to investigate. On his stomach, he wormed his way toward the -path. At the edge of the brush, he stopped. For minutes he lay still, -listening, listening, straining his ears to catch any sound that might -warn him of the guards’ presence. - -“It’s all right,” he told himself, trying desperately to rebuild his -courage. “They’ve gone back to the clearing. It’s safe for me to -explore.” - -Just as Chuba snaked his body halfway out on the trail, he tensed. He -heard a noise behind him. Not much of a noise, only the faintest rustle -in the brush. Quickly the native boy worked his way backward off the -trail. - -Again he heard the noise, slightly louder this time. An animal, a snake? -Chuba knew that his knife, long and sharp as it was, would be little -protection against a jungle animal. And even less against guards armed -with rapid-fire weapons. - -Then he caught another faint sound, soft, so soft as to be barely heard. - -“Eeeee-owieeeee.” Silence. Then, slightly louder, “Yow ... Yow.” - -Chuba’s face brightened. “Caww ... caww,” he answered. - -“Chuba” was the one word whispered in reply to his crow call. - -The native boy wiped his forehead with his forearm and sighed in relief. -It was Biff. It had to be. Biff was all right. - -“Biff?” Chuba called in a squeaky voice. The boy scrambled to the edge -of the trail again. He looked carefully to his right, down the trail -toward the river. Then he looked left, where the Comanche call had been -sounded. He saw Biff’s stained face poke out of the bushes about ten -feet away. A big grin showed white teeth even whiter against his brown -face. - -The two boys wasted no time in talk. They made tracks, and fast, away -from the river, away from the border guard. After an hour of steady -traveling, Chuba darted off the main path, following a little used one -deep into the bush. - -“We rest here,” Chuba said, gasping for breath. - -“Okay by me,” said Biff. It seemed to him that every bone, every muscle -in his body ached. The struggle through the jungle growth, the tension -of making the river crossing, had worn both boys out. Both were only too -happy to stretch out and let their bodies regain strength. - -“So this is China,” Biff said wearily. - -He sat up, dug into his bundle, and took out a small bottle of -antiseptic. This he rubbed over the scratches on his legs and arms. He -handed the bottle to Chuba. Then he took out a large tube of insect -repellant. Flies and mosquitoes had formed a small cloud around the two. - -“What happened?” Chuba asked. “I heard much gun shoots. I worry. I think -maybe they shoot Biff.” - -“They tried to, Chuba. I fooled ’em, though.” - -“How you do this?” - -“Well, I got across the river all right without being seen. Those guards -really jumped when they heard you call. I’d gone maybe fifty feet down -the trail, on this side, when I heard the guards coming back out of the -brush, back to the trail. So I dived into a thicket and crawled away -from the trail. I don’t know how long I waited. Then I heard the guards -getting nearer the spot where I was hiding.” - -“They almost find you?” - -“Darn near it. I don’t believe they could have been more than ten feet -from me at one time. That’s when I figured I had to do something. I -found a stick about three feet long and as thick as your arm. I heard -the guards talking to one another. Then I hurled the stick as far as I -could. It crashed in the brush, made quite a noise. Just what I wanted. -The guards rushed back down the trail toward the spot where the stick -landed. Then they opened up. That’s the shooting you heard.” - -Chuba smiled. “I bet they cut big hole in underbrush with those -bullets.” - -“But we fooled them, Chuba. We got across.” - -“Now we better get moving again,” the boy was suddenly very -businesslike. “Not far from here is small village. When we get there, we -take main road. Now we’re inside China, no more have to take to secret -trails and paths. We just two Chinese beggar boys.” - -By nightfall the boys had reached the crumbling gray wall surrounding a -small village. - -“In this village,” said Chuba, “lives the young brother of my father. He -will give us shelter for the night.” - -The boys passed through the village gate. Biff saw a small, rust-stained -cannon seemingly hanging down from the wall on one side of the gate. At -the other side, another cannon lay in the dirt at the base of the wall. -It had long since broken away from its emplacement. Once, many years -ago, these cannon protected the village from the raids of bandits. But -now, the wall was crumbling in many places, and the city was open to -anyone wishing to enter. - -Biff and Chuba made their way along a narrow, dirt street, lined with -small houses made of thatch and mud. Men, women, and children, all -poorly dressed, moved back and forth, at times filling the street until -it was difficult for the boys to make their way. - -They reached the end of the street, a distance of not much more than a -quarter of a mile. Chuba cut off to his left toward a house standing -just inside the gray wall, but somewhat removed from the other houses. - -“The house of my uncle,” Chuba said, pointing. - -Biff was glad to leave the street. It was littered with trash, and the -smells were sickening. - -“When we are inside the house of my uncle, you must not say a single -word,” Chuba warned. “I do not want even him to know you are America -boy. I tell him you can hear but cannot talk. I tell him we on our way -to visit the older brother of my father, he who lives on the banks of -the Yangtze River.” - -The house was roughly made of earthen bricks and thatched with wheat -straw. A small man stood at the entrance to the house. The doorway was -closed only by a drooping cloth, sewn together from several grain bags. - -Chuba bowed low as he approached his uncle. They spoke together rapidly. -Biff, of course, could not understand a single word spoken. Chuba turned -to him. - -“My uncle welcomes us. He says we may sleep here, and he will feed us. -Come, we go in.” - -The floor of the house was earth, worn smooth and packed hard by the -feet of three generations of the uncle’s family. A Chinese woman looked -at the boys as they entered, but spoke no word of greeting. She was the -uncle’s wife. Two children, each younger and smaller than Chuba, stared -at the boys, their eyes round with wonder at seeing strangers. - -Chuba’s uncle spoke to his wife. Minutes later she brought both the boys -a small portion of rice, served in an earthen saucer. The rice had -little or no flavor for Biff. But it was hot, and he ate every grain. - -Night had fallen. The only light came from the fire in the open oven set -in one wall of the house. - -The uncle spoke again to Chuba, and the boy nodded and motioned Biff to -follow. The uncle took them into a small room which was to be their -sleeping room. There were only three rooms in the house. Biff looked -about him. The room was bare except for one low bench standing in the -center. They would sleep that night on the dirt floor. And sleep they -did, as if they were in the most comfortable beds ever made. At dawn, -with another small bowl of rice to warm their stomachs, the boys were on -their way again. - -The boys crossed the Plateau of Yunnan and reached Chaochiang on the -Yangtze River. This was the small town where the older brother of -Chuba’s father lived. From this uncle, Chuba borrowed a crudely built -small boat, held together with wire and wooden pegs. Two cumbersome, -double-bladed oars would be power. The boat was to be left at -Sundhiango, a village about one hundred miles west of Chungking. Chuba’s -uncle would get it on his next trip to the large city. - -The Yangtze River, rising out of the mountains of Tibet on its 3,500 -mile course to the Yellow Sea, flows swiftly in the western part of -China. The ugly, yellow water roars through chasms, with lofty crags on -either side rising 300 feet high. The little boat, Biff in the bow, -Chuba in the stern, raced along like a small chip of wood. It was fun at -first after the tiring days of fighting their way through the jungle on -foot. They sped through gorges, putting mile after mile behind them. As -they neared Sundhiango, the river widened. Boiling white water told Biff -that they were getting into shallower water. A roar from ahead told him -they were approaching rapids. - -They shot the first three rapids without trouble, then entered a broad, -smooth stretch of water where they drifted slowly with the current. -Rounding a sharp bend, Biff again heard the roar of white water. This -time the roar was louder than before. The small craft suddenly picked up -speed. The boat plunged into the swirling, dashing water and was tossed -about as if it were a twig. Time and again, it seemed the boat would -crash on a huge boulder. Each time the current swirled it around just in -time to prevent a smashup. - -Looking ahead, Biff could see the end of the rapid. The round swell of -the water was a warning—falls ahead! There must be a drop of several -feet, Biff figured. He couldn’t see directly beyond the falls. All that -was visible was a broad body of water beyond—smooth, quiet, wide enough -to be a small lake. - -There was nothing to do but pray that the boat would get safely over the -falls and into the calm water beyond. - -“Hold on, Chuba!” Biff called. Oars were useless now. - -The boat was caught up in a natural spillway, a narrow, fast-moving path -of water which shot over the falls and plunged downward. The boat shot -over the spillway. For moments, it seemed to hang in mid-air. Then it -hit the water below with a bone-jarring smack. - -“We made it!” Biff cried jubilantly, turning to look back at Chuba. -Chuba had disappeared. He had been thrown out of the boat as it leaped -over the falls. Biff spotted his friend’s head in the water twenty feet -this side of the falls. - - [Illustration: Shooting the rapids] - -“Have a good swim, Chuba,” Biff shouted gaily. “I’ll wait for you.” Biff -reset the oars and leaned them on his knees. “Hey, chum, not so much -splash—” Biff’s happy call faded out. Chuba was floundering in the -water. His arms stopped thrashing and his head went out of sight. Then -it bobbed into view, only to sink a second time. - -With a start, Biff realized that Chuba couldn’t swim. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII - The First Clue - - -Jack Hudson looked up from his desk as Muscles, the powerful mechanic, -came in. For a few moments the two men stared at one another, saying -nothing. Muscles, hands on hips, broad shoulders squared, chest thrust -out, looked like an angry bull about to charge. - -“Okay, Muscles, let’s have it,” Jack said. - -“About those kids. What are we going to do?” - -“I wish I knew. We’ve got to do something.” - -“You’re darn tootin’ we have,” Muscles bellowed. “I’m sick and tired of -just sitting around here, waiting. We got to act.” - -“Take it easy, Muscles. I’ve been thinking about it as much as you -have.” - -“Now look, Jack. Charlie Keene’s been gone almost a month. The kids -nearly two weeks.” - -“I know. I know. But what can we do? You know what it means to go in -after them.” - -“You think you know where they are?” - -Jack nodded his head. “I’ve got a pretty good idea where the boys are -heading. I just hope Charlie’s in the same general area. I just hope -they’re not all scattered over the face of China.” - -“What bugs me most is Biff being spotted by now. An American kid among -all those Chinese—bound to be!” - -“I don’t think so, Muscles. Biff and Chuba worked out a disguise that -made Biff look more like a Chinese than Chuba does. Biff not only fooled -me, but fooled Ti Pao as well.” - -“He fooled Chuba’s father? That’s really something.” - -Jack nodded his head. “Yeah. Both of those kids are plenty smart. I -think they’ll make it in. They might even get a line on Charlie’s -whereabouts. But getting back out—” Jack shook his head soberly. - -“That’s where we get into the act,” Muscles said quickly. “Look, I got -the Cessna tuned up so she’s purring like a kitten. Extra fuel tanks -installed. We can go in, pick up Charlie and the kids—” - -“_If_ we could find them.” - -“We can find them. Look, here’s my idea. We go in together. At night. -You drop me. I locate Charlie and the kids, then I make a signal on the -shortwave transmitter, and bang, you come, pick us up, and all’s well.” - -Jack didn’t answer at once. He was considering Muscles’ idea. “You make -it sound so easy. But I don’t know. Give me a little time to think it -over.” - -“We can take off at dusk tonight.” - -“I haven’t said we would yet, Muscles. I’ll let you know.” - -Muscles glowered at Jack and pounded one huge fist into the palm of his -other hamlike hand. - - -Biff didn’t hesitate. This was real trouble. If he didn’t get to his -friend at once, Chuba might go under for good. Finding him beneath the -surface of the muddy river would be impossible. Biff’s body split the -air as he dived toward the sinking Chuba. Powerful strokes of his arms -pulled Biff swiftly through the water. He reached Chuba. - -“Take it easy. Take it easy, Chuba. I’ve got you. You’ll be all right. -Don’t fight me.” - -Biff crooked his left arm around Chuba’s neck. - -“Just lie on your back, Chuba. I’ll do the rest.” - -At Biff’s words Chuba stopped thrashing. He forced himself to relax, -buoyed both in body and spirit by the firmness of Biff’s arm. - -Slowly, with a one-armed backstroke, Biff towed the native boy toward -the shore. The current slackened below the falls, making Biff’s task -possible. Foot by foot, Biff propelled himself and Chuba toward the -riverbank. At long last, he felt one of his kicking feet touch bottom. - -“Okay, Chuba. I think you can stand up here. Try it.” - -Chuba’s feet touched bottom. The two boys staggered through the shallow -water to safety. Chuba stretched out on the bank, gasping and trembling. - -“You save my life, Biff. How can Chuba ever thank you?” - -“Skip the thanks, Chuba. You’ve done plenty for me. And I know you’ll do -plenty more. But how come you never learned to swim?” - -“Not many Chinese boys swim. Not in rivers where I grow up. Crocodiles.” - -“I get it. Too dangerous.” - -Chuba nodded his head. - -“Look, Chuba. You rest here. I’ve got to get the boat. All our supplies -are in it.” - -Biff jumped up and ran along the bank downstream. The boat was drifting -slowly, lazily toward the bank. Biff plunged back into the water. He -reached the boat, pulled himself in over the side, and rowed to shore. -Chuba had moved down the bank, and waded out to grab the boat’s bow. He -pulled it up on the bank. - -Half an hour later the boys reembarked. For the rest of the day they -traveled in smooth water. By dark, they reached Sundhiango, last stop of -their river voyage. - -From Sundhiango they headed northwest, toward the foothills of Mt. Minya -Konka, west of Chungking and Chengtu. Once clear of the river city, the -boys moved along a dirt road until weariness overtook them. Off the -road, they built a small fire, ate a mixture of flour and rice Chuba -dreamed up, and then slept. - -In the morning, Chuba inspected Biff carefully. - -“What’s the matter?” Biff demanded. - -“You almost America boy again. More like fish called carp, though. All -streaky.” - -“What do you mean?” - -“Your swims in river. Make betel juice fade. You look at self. We got to -make you Chinese beggar boy again.” - -Chuba took out his bottle of juice, and smeared Biff’s body and face. -“Now, all good again. We move out.” - -“And up,” Biff said, looking toward the mountains. - -By late afternoon, Biff and Chuba reached a town in the foothills. They -had been climbing steadily all day. Several times Biff had to swallow to -clear the pressure in his ears, brought on by the higher altitude. - -“You have some money, Biff?” Chuba asked. - -“Yep. Got a bunch of Burmese rupees. Can you spend them in China?” - -“Spend them like you say like water. Rupees much good. Better than -Chinese money. Chinese money now called _jin min piao_. Takes many -_jins_ to make one rupee.” - -Biff dug into his bundle and brought out several coins. “This enough?” - -“Is plenty. We go into town to market. Chuba buy some food. You like -dried fish? Lichee nuts good, too.” - -“Ugh. I’d rather have a hot dog.” - -“Ah, hot dog?” Chuba nodded wisely. “Muscles tell me in America you eat -the dogs but like them hot.” - -“By the millions, Chuba. Especially at baseball games. But not the kind -that bark.” - -“Not real dogs?” - -“Nope. These are sort of like a sausage—shaped like sausage. You know -sausage?” - -Chuba nodded his head. “Oh sure, stuffed with rice, shark fins, and -sesame seeds, is real tasty.” Biff shrugged. Might as well give up. -Chuba would just have to eat a genuine frankfurter some day. - -The boys walked on to the edge of the town. Biff stopped before they -passed through the gate. “Hold it a minute, Chuba. Something I want to -ask you.” - -Biff had decided to make the first move toward locating his Uncle -Charlie. He considered showing Chuba the green ring. Should he do so -now, or hold on to it for an ace in the hole, for a time when the ring -might be the means of getting them out of a really tough jam. He’d wait. - -“What you want to ask Chuba?” - -“I want to know if you ever heard of a big and well-known Chinese -family. It was called the House of Kwang.” Biff studied the native boy’s -face. - -“Sure. Chuba hear about them. Once they rich. Big rich. Own many, many -acres for wheat fields. Many many acres for rice. They own big grain -sheds where other people bring wheat and rice to sell them for to store -it. But now no more rice. Not rich and powerful any more. Revolution and -new government get rid of all big landowners.” - -“Did the House of Kwang have any property, any acres around here?” - -“No own acres here. But once they own big warehouse, like I say, for to -buy and sell wheat and rice and all kinds clothes and things.” - -“Here in this town?” - -Chuba nodded his head. - -“Well, look, Chuba. I think maybe my Uncle Charlie came into this part -of China because of something he had to do with the House of Kwang. I -don’t know exactly what. Do you think any members of that family would -be around here?” - -Chuba thought about Biff’s question. “I don’t know, Biff. But can find -out. Although family no longer strong and rich, Chuba has heard they -still stick close together. Help each other out. If one member of family -get in bad with government bosses, others get him out if he put in -prison.” - -“Okay. That’s what I wanted to know from you. When we get to the market, -think you could ask some questions without giving us away? I mean -without letting the people you ask know that we’re in here looking for -Uncle Charlie?” - -“Think so, Biff. I ask if anyone hear about big bird—American bird with -much roaring noise. Lots people in this part of China still call -airplane big bird.” - -“If you find anyone who seems to have the kind of information we’re -looking for, see if there’s any talk about a plane cracking up around -here. I feel sure Uncle Charlie would have come back long ago if there -weren’t something wrong with his plane.” - -“You trust Chuba, Biff. He find out everythings.” - -The boys passed the gate of the walled town. This town was the largest -one they had yet gone through. The dirty streets again were filled with -people milling back and forth. Children stared at them wide-eyed and -curious. Dogs darted in and out, looking for scraps of food. Pigs roamed -the streets, paying no more attention to the people than the people did -to them. - -Biff could tell they were nearing the market place. His nose knew. -Inside the market, an open-air market filling one long block, the boys -passed booths selling everything from hot soups to shiny silks. Strings -of garlic hung on racks in all the food booths. The Chinese chew garlic -the way Americans chew gum. Small cakes made of chopped vegetables and -fruits were piled high on trays. There were fried peanuts and -sugar-covered orange peels. Strings of dried fish swung in the air. -Smoked ducks were suspended by their necks from long, slender bamboo -rods. - -Chuba made several purchases. Biff, having to remain silent, was unable -to protest against some of the foods Chuba added to his cloth sack. But -he knew he’d have to be mighty hungry to eat them. - -At one booth, where Chuba made several purchases, the native boy had a -long talk with the owner. During the conversation, Chuba once extended -his arms straight from his sides, and gave out with a sound like an -airplane engine, an engine that sputtered. - -The Chinese only shook his head. - -The boys walked along. “I think he know something, but no tell me,” -Chuba said quietly. “When first I ask about big bird, a look on his face -tell me he has heard of something. But when I ask more, and become -airplane myself, he say no, he hear of nothing. I ask more people.” - -Biff tagged along, silent, watchful, amazed at many of the strange -things sold in the market. He saw a goose egg and watched a shopper -haggle with the owner over its price. Later, Chuba told him the egg was -four years old and uncooked. - -“Most delicious,” Chuba said. - -Biff shuddered. - -Every store sold dried watermelon seeds. Chuba bought some, gave a -handful to Biff. Biff chewed on them, but found little taste to the -small morsel inside the shell. - -It had become dark. Flares lighted the market place. Chuba turned to -Biff, a discouraged look on his face. “Buying things fine. Finding out -about Sahib Charlie not fine. Chuba learn nothing.” - -The boys retraced their steps back to the city gates. Again they were -going to sleep in the open. Biff much preferred this to sleeping on the -floor of an airless room. - -Just as they passed through the gate, a figure came out of the shadows. -He touched Chuba on the arm and in a hissing whisper, spoke into the -boy’s ear. - -“Man say for me to come back with him. Maybe can help me. Say I must -come alone. You stay right here, Biff. Chuba be all right. Be back -quick.” Chuba and the stranger headed back toward the market. - -But Chuba didn’t come back quickly. The minutes seemed to drag along. -Biff was becoming worried. He had just about made up his mind to seek -Chuba out when he saw his friend running toward him. - -Chuba was breathless, more from excitement than from his short run. - -“Chuba has news. Big news. Man takes me back to another fellow. This -other fellow much wise. Say he hear big American plane make force -landing. Near mountains. Maybe fifty miles from here.” - -“Did he tell you how long ago, Chuba?” - -Chuba nodded his head up and down rapidly. “He say maybe three, maybe -four weeks ago.” - -“Hey. That _is_ good news. That could be Uncle Charlie. Did he know what -happened to the pilot? Was he hurt?” - -“I ask that. But fellow say he don’t know.” - -Biff was thoughtful for a few moments. “It’s a good lead, Chuba. You -know which way to go?” - -“Sure. Fellow tell Chuba.” - -“Seems to me this fellow told you a lot. I wonder why. Particularly -since no one else seemed to know what you were talking about.” - -“I don’t know, Biff. Fellow very nice. But funny-looking fellow.” - -“What do you mean, funny looking?” - -“One eye closed like door. No see out of it. Fellow have only one good -eye.” - -Biff’s thoughts raced back to the Chinese passenger on the plane from -Indianapolis to Chicago—a Chinese with a drooping eyelid. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV - The Circling Plane - - -The next day, in a small village of only a few mud and thatched houses, -Chuba continued his inquiries. This time, the second man he asked told -of having heard of a big bird “roar like the thunders of heaven.” It had -been seen coming down in the mountains. - -In mid-afternoon of the second day after leaving the market town, Chuba -came up with more definite information. He was told that a flying man -had come down in the foothills near a police outpost called Jaraminka. - -Chuba was elated by the news that now seemed to be coming to them so -easily. - -“Too easily,” Biff said. - -“How you mean, Biff?” - -“I’m not sure, Chuba. But it seems strange to me that everyone seems to -be helping us along. It’s as if we’re being guided to this certain -place.” - -“That is not good?” - -Biff shook his head. “It’s too good. It could be a trap. I’m pretty sure -now that someone has spotted me, or at least, knows I’m in this part of -China.” - -“How could they know that? You look like Chinese boy, not like American -Biff Brewster.” - -Biff didn’t reply at once. He was thinking. He was thinking that by -asking questions about the House of Kwang, about a downed flyer, -someone’s curiosity had been aroused. Someone was very interested in his -search for Charles Keene. Otherwise, how had it been so easy to get the -information Chuba had been given? - -Biff also felt sure that the person, or persons, responsible for feeding -Chuba directional information must know that it was he, Biff Brewster, -who was in China. He couldn’t drive from his mind the picture of the -Chinese with the drooping eyelid. Chuba’s description of the man with -one eye fitted too closely. - -“Chuba, I think we’re definitely being led into a trap. Someone is -leading us to the place where my uncle is. It may be friends. It may be -members of the House of Kwang. But, it also may be enemies of my uncle. -They may be holding my uncle prisoner, and want to capture me, too. -Don’t ask me why, I don’t know all the answers. But I’ve got a hunch.” - -“If we being led into trap like poor little goat into dragon’s mouth, -maybe we better stop. Maybe go different way. Maybe better give -Jaraminka the by-go,” Chuba suggested. - -Biff smiled. “No, we won’t give Jaraminka the ‘go-by.’ We’ll let -ourselves be led into—or up to the trap. It’s our only chance of finding -my uncle. We don’t have any other leads. But maybe we can get right up -to the trap and avoid having it sprung on us.” - -The boys climbed a narrowing mountain trail higher into the foothills. -Nightfall found them in a wild, desolate spot. No lights could be seen -in any direction they looked. At the altitude they had reached, a chill -came with the night air. - -Chuba hurried about searching for dried, dead wood. He heaped up a large -pile. - -“Think it’s safe to build a fire?” Biff asked. - -“Sure. Much safe. Better to have fire and be warm. Better also to have -fire to keep mountain bears and wild pigs away. Anyway, who want to -catch two boys?” - -“I don’t know, Chuba. I don’t know,” Biff replied. - -The fire was soon blazing, sending out its friendly warmth and -brightening the wild spot where the boys had decided to pitch their -camp. Chuba had water boiling in a small can, ready for the rice which -had become their nightly meal—rice, with some of the strange foods Chuba -had purchased stirred in it. - -“Chow, Biff. We eat. I way out hungry, man.” - -Chuba started ladling out the steaming dish. - -“Hold it a minute, Chuba. Hear anything?” - -Chuba raised his head. Both boys tensed. From far away, to the south, -there came a low hum, not much louder than the buzz of a bee. As the -boys listened, the hum grew louder and more distinct. A minute passed. -There was no mistaking the sound now. - -“It’s a plane, Chuba! A plane!” - -“Maybe Sahib Charlie,” Chuba shouted. - -“Look! Look!” Biff was on his feet, pointing. Now the plane was in sight -against the darkening sky. It was coming low. Its green starboard wing -light and red port wing light were flashing alternately on and off, on -and off. - -The plane seemed to be coming directly at them, as if attracted -moth-like to their bright fire. It swooped over the boys, so low they -both involuntarily ducked. Then the plane circled, roared back over -them, and then disappeared over a low ridge to the west. The sound of -its twin engines died away. - -“I’d bet you anything that was a Cessna. Like the job that brought me to -Unhao from Rangoon,” Biff said, his voice filled with excitement. - -“You mean like plane that Muscles fix for sahibs back at camp?” - -“That’s right, Chuba. Can’t be sure, though.” - -“Maybe was scouting plane of army. Maybe was spying on us,” Chuba said. - -Biff’s spirits sank. Chuba could be right. - -“Think we better get out of here then? Find another place and hide?” - -“Might be good idea, Biff. Hate to leave nice warm fire, though.” - -“And I’d hate to leave just in case that was a plane from Unhao, looking -for us. Or, as you said, it just could be Uncle Charlie.” - -The boys sat down by the fire. Biff ate his food slowly. The minutes -became an hour. Another hour passed. Chuba had curled up in his long -cloak, and was sound asleep. Biff looked at the sleeping boy, and felt a -yawn stretching over his face. - -He stirred the fire, pulled his long cloak firmly about him, and curled -up too. He didn’t think he could sleep—his mind was too filled with -thoughts about the plane. But Biff’s resistance to sleep was mostly in -his mind, not in his body. Tired—he always seemed tired these days—he -dropped off to sleep in seconds. - -How long he slept, Biff didn’t know. But he did know that something had -awakened him. He opened his eyes. He listened. He thought he heard a -sound just behind a nearby stunted tree. - -“Chuba.” He poked his companion. “Chuba, wake up.” - -Chuba stirred, rolled over, and opened his eyes to look into Biff’s -face. “What is it, Biff?” - -“I think somebody’s watching us. From just outside the ring of the -fire’s light.” - -Both boys remained silent. Nothing happened. Then the sound came again. -Someone, or something, was certainly watching them. Biff could hear his -own heart beat. He looked in the direction of the sound. A huge figure -stepped from behind the tree. As it walked toward the fire, its dancing -shadow became that of a giant. - -“Well, fancy meeting you here!” the giant said. - -“Muscles!” - -The boys jumped to their feet. The giant mechanic, a big grin splitting -his face, strode up to the fire. Biff and Chuba leaped on him, pounding -him on the back. - -“Easy boys. Easy. I’m footsore and bone-tired from walking over these -here mountains. Never had anything like them back in good old Kentucky.” - -“How’d you get here? Was that your plane? Who was flying it? Where’d you -land? Is my uncle safe?” Biff’s questions shot out in a rapid-fire -burst. - -“Easy, Biff. Easy. One at a time. Now I’ll try to answer your quiz -program. No word from your uncle. Yep, that was me in that plane that -flew over here a coupla hours ago. Jack Hudson was flying her. We -touched down just long enough for me to hop out. Jack’s almost back to -Unhao by now. Now how ’bout a spot of China tea? I’m tired and hungry.” - -“Me fix, Muscles. Right away. Chop. Chop.” Chuba got busy. More wood -went on the fire. Out came the all-purpose can, this time to boil water -for Muscles’ tea. - -“Now what about you two? Give me a fill-in.” - -Biff quickly sketched the happenings since he and Chuba had slipped out -of the camp at Unhao. - -“So you think someone’s spotted you?” Muscles asked. - -“I’m sure of it. Someone sure knows Uncle Charlie’s being looked for. -We’ve been getting more information than they hand out at Grand Central -Station in New York.” - -“And you’ve been told that a plane came down near a place called -Jaraminka.” - -Biff nodded his head. - -“How far is that place from here?” - -“Not far,” Chuba replied. “Maybe a day’s walk. If we start early in -morning.... Here’s your tea.” - -Muscles took the hot liquid. “Well then, Jaraminka, here we come.” - -As Muscles sipped his tea, he told the boys about landing on a cleared, -level plateau over a ridge of the Thanglung foothills to the west. - -“Not too far from here,” Muscles looked at his watch. “Took me about two -hours to walk back to this fire we spotted from the air. We couldn’t be -sure, of course, but we hoped it would be you boys. I guess I must have -walked almost straight up and down farther than I walked straight ahead -to get here.” - -“And Jack went back?” Biff asked. - -“Yep. But we’ve got it all fixed. When we find Charlie, we’re to make -our way back to that plateau. I’ve got a portable transmitter with me. -When we get there, I make a signal. Jack flies in, and it’s back to -Unhao we go.” - -Muscles made it sound so simple. Biff felt good as he listened to the -big man talk so confidently. But there were lots of “ifs”—if they found -Charles Keene, if they got back to the plateau, if the signal was heard -on time, if Jack could come back in. Biff shook his head. It was good to -have big Muscles with them, though. In any trouble, Muscles had a lot of -weight to throw around. - -“Now suppose we catch some more of that stuff called shut-eye—sleep to -you, Chuba, and be up and at ’em early in the ayem.” - -“Chuba catch plenty eye-shut, Sahib Muscles. Tomorrow going to be big -days.” - -Eye-shut! The two words reminded Biff of the Chinese with the drooping -eyelid. - -The two boys and the man stretched out by the fire and slept. At -daybreak, Muscles stirred. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and sat up. - -“Hey!” he exclaimed. “Looks like we’ve got visitors.” - -Biff and Chuba sat up quickly. Standing silently, forming a ring -surrounding the three and the dying embers of the fire, were eight of -the fiercest looking men Biff had ever seen. - - - - - CHAPTER XV - Bandits! - - -Biff shot a quick look at Chuba. He wanted to see his friend’s reaction -to the startling appearance of these men who looked as if they had -sprung from the age of primitive man. Good? Bad? Chuba would know. - -Chuba’s eyes roved over the group. He turned his head quickly from man -to man, turning around to complete the circle. A frown on the native -boy’s face gave Biff his answer. Chuba was worried. - -“Man, oh, man! Did you ever see anything like that bunch?” Muscles -asked. “They’re from way out of nowhere.” - -There was every reason for Muscles to be amazed. The men were small but -squat and powerfully built. Their eyes were slanted in broad, dirty -faces, the color of stained copper. Wide, cruel mouths turned down on -either side. Scraggly strands of wiry hair sprouted from ragged caps -made of mangy fur. - -Their legs were wrapped in rags. Coats, if they could be called coats, -were made of skins of wild animals, mountain goats, deer. One of the men -wore the skin of the Himalayan black bear. - -They stood in silence, their small, beady eyes watching for any move on -the part of Muscles and the boys. Two of the men held short, thick clubs -in their hands. Another held a long stick. Biff noticed that on the end -a wicked knife had been attached by thongs. Others held long, gleaming -curved knives in their hands. Only one man carried a gun, a short, two -barreled shotgun. It was an old gun. Someone had sawed off the barrel. -It could deal out body-ripping shots at short range. - -“Who are they, Chuba?” Biff asked. - -“You mean _what_ are they?” Muscles cut in. - -“Bandits. Chinese bandits,” Chuba replied. “They bad. Very bad.” - -“They’re not soldiers, then. Not members of any patrol?” - -Chuba shook his head. “No. Much worse. These people roam the hills and -mountains. They steal, kill. They like wild men. Sometimes come into -town, but most times, live like tribe, sleep in caves, eat anything they -can kill.” - -“What do they want with us?” Biff asked. - -“Rob us. Maybe kill us if we try to fight.” - -“Huh. Some chance,” Muscles cut in again. “Why, I can take on that whole -gang single-handed.” Muscles towered over the bandits. He was bigger, -and weighed more than any two of the bandits together. - -“Not so sure, Muscles,” Chuba said quietly. “These men fight and kill -bears, tigers. Only use their knives.” - -“Only guy that worries me is that one with the sawed-off shotgun,” -Muscles decided. - -“Why don’t they say something, Chuba? What are they waiting for?” Biff -asked. - -Chuba shrugged his shoulders. - -“Can’t they talk? Can you understand their language?” - -“They talk, sure. But be hard for Chuba to understand them. They speak -what you call tribe dialect. Some Chinese words. Some words only they -know.” - -“Can they understand you?” - -“Sure. They understand most Chinese talk. Not all words. But enough.” - -“Ask them what they want.” - -Chuba swallowed. He directed a rapid string of Chinese words at the man -carrying the gun. - -The gun carrier grunted and spoke in a deep, guttural voice to the man -beside him. - -“Did you get that, Chuba?” - -Chuba shook his head. - -The gun carrier took one step forward. He looked Muscles carefully up -and down. Next his eyes swept over Biff. Then he spoke, turning his eyes -on Chuba. He spoke slowly. Sometimes moments of silence would appear -between his spaced words. - -“He says they want all things we have. Gun man speaker says he wants -clothes of the giant man.” - -“My clothes! Fat chance,” Muscles snarled. - -The bandit spoke again. - -“He says open up bundles. He wants to see what we have.” - -Biff knelt down. His and Chuba’s bulky bundles were together. Biff -started untying the nearest one, which happened to be Chuba’s. - -“If we give them our things, will they let us alone?” Biff asked. - -“Chuba can’t say. Maybe so so. Maybe no. Maybe they give us this.” Chuba -brought his hand swiftly across his throat. Biff felt a sickening -sensation in his stomach. - -Feeling around in Chuba’s bundle, Biff’s hand struck an oblong object. -It felt like a box. Biff carefully lifted the cloth from which the -bundle was made. He raised it so that the bandits would be unable to see -what the box was. If the situation hadn’t been such a dangerous one, -Biff would have laughed. Chuba had brought with him his Evil Spirit -Box—the one Muscles had frightened Chuba with the first morning Biff was -in camp. - -Touching the box, an idea came into Biff’s head. - -“Chuba, quick! Tell me more about these bandits. Are they superstitious? -I mean, frightened by strange things, things they’ve never seen before?” - -“Much afraid. Big fear of spirits.” - -Biff nodded his head. “I’ve got an idea. Think we could scare them with -your Evil Spirit Box?” - -Excitement danced in Chuba’s eyes. “They be scared like crazy. More -scared than Chuba was.” - -“Okay. We’ll try it. Now you tell them something like this. Tell them we -are protected by magic of the gods. The evil spirit will put its hand on -them unless they let us go. They are not to bother us. Make it good. Bow -down and stuff like that. Look to the sky and make like you’re calling -the spirit.” - -“Chuba catch wise. Make big show.” - -“Okay. Now, at some point when you’re putting on your act, when the -bandits are all looking at you, I’ll yell ‘Fly!’ When I do, I’ll toss -your spirit box into the air. You swing around and catch it. I’ll have -it started. You hold it up high when the siren’s going. Then place it on -the ground and jump back when the hand comes out. Tell them that’s the -hand of the evil spirit, reaching out to touch them.” - -Chuba was grinning now. Muscles stood there, hands on hips, shaking his -head. Chuba turned back to the bandit leader. He hunched up his -shoulders. He twisted his face into an ugly leer. Then he began -speaking. He spoke at first in a sing-song voice. He spoke faster and -faster, raising his voice higher. He dropped down and touched the ground -three times with his head. Up he leaped, extending his arms skyward. - -Chuba was putting on a good show. Biff watched the faces of the bandits -closely. There was no expression, yet their eyes followed every movement -Chuba made. - -Biff took the spirit box out. No one saw him. Even Muscles was -fascinated by Chuba’s writhing, his sing-song chanting. Biff touched the -button activating the box. - -“Fly!” he called out. He tossed the box in the air, high enough so that -as it came down over Chuba’s head, it almost appeared to be falling from -the sky. - -Chuba caught the box deftly. Again he spoke to the bandits. He raised -the box high over his head, just as the first faint whine of the siren -began. The siren’s scream rose higher and higher. Quickly Chuba placed -the box on the ground and stepped back. The lid of the box slowly -opened. - -Biff looked again at the bandits. The faces without expression now -looked curious, then terrified. - -The lid of the box raised. The plastic hand snaked out. - -Stark terror now seized the bandits. They cringed back. One of them, -unable to stand it any longer, turned, broke, and ran. He was followed -by another and another. Only the leader remained, staring at the spirit -box as if spellbound. - -Muscles went into action. He dived for the box. He snatched it from the -ground, turned, and with the box extended in his outstretched hands, he -moved toward the bandit chief. This was too much. With a horrified -shriek, the bandit chief turned and raced down the slope after his -companions. All were running as if they were really pursued by demons. - -Muscles quickly reset the box, so that the scream of the siren, rising -to its highest pitch, seemed to be following close to the bandits’ ears. - -Muscles put the box back on the ground. He slapped his huge thighs, -threw back his head, and roared with laughter. Biff and Chuba joined -him. All three laughed until they sank to the ground, their voices -shaking as they tried to talk. - -Finally, Muscles heaved his shoulders and took a deep breath. “Ever see -anything like that? Those guys were really scared. Took off like jet -fighters. When I think that I sent to the States for that fool toy to -scare Chuba, well....” - -“Never knew it was going to save your life, did you? Still think twenty -dollars was too much for it?” Biff said, trying to control his laughter. - -“I level with you now, Muscles. I real scared first time I see spirit -box,” Chuba confessed. - -“But those guys! They really did think the Evil Spirit was going to put -the hand on them,” Muscles said. - -“Here’s one time I’m glad you can’t tell good from evil,” Biff said. - -“Think they’ll come back, Chuba?” Muscles asked. - -“Never. They really gone. Give us the big go-round now. Not ever want to -see us and box again.” - -“The spirit really moved them, eh, Biff?” Muscles said. - -Biff laughed, but Muscles’ joke was over Chuba’s head. - -It was almost broad daylight now. The sun was rising. Biff stood up. -“We’d better get going. Maybe we can reach Jaraminka by nightfall.” - -“Okay by me,” Muscles agreed. “Let’s make with the feet, Chuba.” - -Biff looked northward. Nestled somewhere in the foothills of the -Thanglung mountains was the outpost of Jaraminka. Uncle Charlie might be -there. He might be the bait being used to bring Biff and his companions -into a trap. - -It was a risk they would have to take. - - - - - CHAPTER XVI - Strange Discovery - - -In the distance, perhaps a hundred miles away, the towering peak of Mt. -Minya Konka, reaching 25,000 feet skyward, could be seen. The day was -clear, crystal-blue clear. The air was chill and would remain so until -the sun’s rays bore down more strongly. - -“You better take the lead, Chuba,” Muscles said. “Off we go, searching -for Ja-ra-mink-a.” He sang his last sentence to the tune of the Air -Force song, “Into the Wild Blue Yonder.” - -“Hold it a minute,” Biff said. “You know, if we head straight for -Jaraminka, we might be walking right into the hands of the enemy. -Wouldn’t they expect us to take the most direct route?” - -“You got something there, Biff, m’boy. What’re you cooking?” Muscles -asked. - -“I think we should head west, west northwest, rather than due north. -Head for Minya Konka. Then, when we’ve gone further inland, cut back -north and make our approach to Jaraminka from the west.” - -“Good idea, Biff. Let’s move out.” - -The three trudged westward, climbing, climbing. Big, craggy rocks dotted -the sides of the slopes they scrambled up. Often they had to make wide -detours to get around a cliff that rose straight up. - -After two hours of scrambling, slipping, struggling against the rugged -terrain, Muscles called a halt. - -“We’d better take a break.” The rarefied air of the altitude had all -three panting for breath. At Muscles’ words, Biff and Chuba sank to the -ground without a word. Muscles flung himself to the ground beside them. -Slowly their breathing became more even, strength flowed back into their -bodies. - -Muscles sat up, pulled out a cigarette. He lit it, took three deep puffs -and tossed it away. - -“Burns my lungs at this altitude. How far you figure we’ve gone, kids?” - -“Like you said last night. If we measure the ups and downs, then we’ve -covered quite a distance. But I doubt if we’ve covered more than five -miles straight away,” Biff answered, and Chuba nodded in agreement. - -“That plateau where Jack landed me must be just a short distance south -of here. I’m making landmarks so we can spot the place when we come -back,” Muscles explained. - -Biff looked the area over carefully, too. Two peaks rose straight up, -miles apart. A smaller peak was centered exactly between the two taller -ones. - -“Just like the letter ‘W,’” Biff said to himself. He would remember -that. - -“Think we better turn north now, Biff?” Muscles said. “Be lot easier -traveling. Faster, too. We’ll be moving along the valley. Not so much of -this up and down stuff. Particularly the up. I’ve had enough of that. -I’ll take my climbing in a plane.” - -“I guess so, Muscles. We’ll head up the valley, now, Chuba,” Biff -directed. - -They set off again. Traveling was easier. They moved along briskly. The -air was becoming warmer, and soon the floor of the valley sent up -shimmering heat waves in front of them. - -Except for brief pauses, no one called for a break until Muscles looked -at his watch. - -“It’s noon. How about a breather and something to eat?” - -Chuba broke out his supply of food—his “goodies,” Biff had named them. - -“This is food?” Muscles asked skeptically, looking at the portion Chuba -handed him. He ate it, but his face twisted comically as he tasted and -then quickly gulped the food. - -After a half-hour rest, during which Muscles complained bitterly about -the menu, they were ready to continue. Their progress up the valley -continued smoothly for the first hour. Rounding a sharp bend, the valley -came to an abrupt end. - -“Now what’s this little obstacle placed in our path?” Muscles asked. - -“Wish it were just a _little_ obstacle,” Biff replied. Directly ahead of -them, the ground angled sharply upward. Above, it leveled off like the -outside rim of a giant football stadium. - -“We go right or we go left, Chuba?” Muscles asked. - -“We’ll go straight up,” Biff replied. “Let’s see what’s on top. Surely -can’t tell from here. After we take a look-see, we’ll probably bear to -the right. Jaraminka must be off that way.” Biff pointed slightly to the -northeast. “Think so, Chuba?” - -Chuba nodded his head. - -They mounted toward the rim at the top of the sharp incline. In places, -the ground rose so sharply they had to pull themselves up, grabbing the -stunted trees for handholds. - -Nearing the top, they ran into a barrier that stopped them cold. This -was a man-made obstacle, the last thing to expect in this wild, remote -country. It was a heavy, metal-barred fence. It stood higher than -Muscles’ head, and three strands of ugly barbed wire were stretched -along the top. - -“What the—” Muscles’ eyes bugged out in astonishment. - -The fence stretched out to the right and left in a long curve. The -ground was cleared on both sides of the fence, forming a path easy to -walk along. - -“This we have to find out about,” Biff said. “Why fence in a mountain -top unless there’s something inside that’s top secret?” - -“That fence could be electrified. Stay clear of it,” Muscles warned. - -“Could be,” Biff said, “but I doubt it. It would take a lot of power to -do it. Besides, where would the power come from? Let’s follow it, to the -right. But be alert. Good fences don’t mean good neighbors here. I’ve a -hunch these good fences mean good guards every few feet.” - -They followed the curving fence cautiously and on the alert. Biff took -the lead. They continued until Biff figured they had covered ninety -degrees of a gigantic circle. The fence remained an equal distance from -the rim at the top as they followed the path. - -“Hold it!” Biff held up his hand. Then he motioned Muscles and Chuba -forward. - -“Look,” Biff pointed to a gap, wide enough and deep enough for a man’s -body to slip beneath the fence. - -“Some animal must have been as curious as we are,” Biff said. “Something -burrowed under the fence.” - -“Well, what are we waiting for?” Muscles grinned. He dropped to his -hands and knees and wiggled through the opening. Chuba followed, and -Biff brought up the rear. - -Crouching low, the three approached the top of the rise. They crawled -the last few feet, reached the rim, and raised their heads slowly. What -they saw made them all gasp. - -They were looking into an immense bowl, covering an area so great it was -impossible to take it in with one look. They pivoted their heads, -following the rim of the bowl. - -The activity on the floor of the bowl made them squint their eyes in -disbelief. Everywhere they looked they saw bulldozers, huge cranes, -steam shovels, and thousands of men working furiously. The bottom of the -bowl was so far away that the working men seemed like small moving -specks. The noises of the steam shovels digging into the earth and the -whines of the huge crane arms turning on their metal discs rose only -dimly to the ears of the astonished spectators. - -Toward the opposite side of the huge bowl, two cement runways in the -shape of a plus sign were dotted with planes. - -In still another section of the bowl, great steel trylons, resembling -oversized high-tension wire supporters, reared skyward. - -“What do you make of it?” Biff asked Muscles. - -The burly mechanic scratched his head. “You got me. Could be a lot of -things. It’s got to be something mighty important, something really top -secret to build this gigantic complex in this remote spot. And how did -they get all this stuff in here?” Muscles asked himself. - -“I think,” Biff said, “we’d better get _away_ from here—but fast.” - -Muscles nodded in agreement. The three backed down, reached the fence, -scrambled beneath it, and headed for Jaraminka. - -Making as much speed as they could, they put distance between themselves -and their startling discovery. Biff’s mind was filled with questions. -Foremost among them was one which kept coming back like an exam question -he couldn’t answer. - -Did this tremendous, secret construction job have anything to do with -Uncle Charlie’s flight into China? - - - - - CHAPTER XVII - A Red Hot Lead - - -Night overtook Biff, Chuba, and Muscles before they reached Jaraminka. -All were tired. The going in the dark was rough. But Biff was determined -to reach the town before they halted. - -“Another hour,” Biff said, “and if we haven’t gotten there, we’ll hole -in for the night.” - -“Okay by me,” Muscles answered. - -Chuba nodded his head. - -They didn’t have to go for the full hour. Following a narrow path, no -more than a rough goat trail, they rounded the side of a high pointed -hill. From far below their dangerous perch on the hillside, they saw -lights. Hundreds of lights, flickering like candles in a breeze. It was -a beautiful sight to come upon suddenly in the night. - -“Jaraminka,” Biff said, and looked at Chuba for confirmation. - -“You right, Biff. That Jaraminka.” - -“It’s a lot bigger place than I thought it would be,” Muscles put in. - -“It’s in center of big, wide valley. Much good farm lands. Many rich -peoples once live here. Is nice in summer. Not too hot.” - -“How about the House of Kwang, Chuba? They have any properties around -Jaraminka?” - -“Oh yes, Biff, always in summer time Old Lord and family go to -Jaraminka. Old Lord have big place here. His big house still here, but -Old Lord not own it any more.” - -“Chinese Commies run him out?” Muscles asked. - -“You right, Muscles. They take over. Now this place big, important -outpost for Chinese Army.” - -Why would the Chinese Army have a large installation in such a wild, -remote section of their big, sprawling country? The answer came to Biff -immediately. That big, fenced-in construction job was not more than ten -miles away. That had to be the reason. Just what was being built, -though, still puzzled the boy. - -“We’ll bed down here for the night,” Biff said, “and go into the town -early in the morning.” - -“Real early, Biff,” Chuba said. “Soon as sun start rising, farmers go -into town to market place. Bring things from farm to sell. We go in with -them. People think we farmers, too.” - -“How about me?” Muscles asked. “I don’t look like a Chinese farmer.” - -Biff laughed. “Anything but.” - -“You have to stay here. Guard our camp. We go into town, find out -things.” - -“Okay by me. But say—be sure and leave me my pal.” - -“Your pal?” Biff asked. - -“Yeah. My pal of protection—the spirit box.” - -They all laughed, turned in and slept. - -Early in the gray of morning, Biff and Chuba were on the outskirts of -the village. A stream of solemn-faced farmers passed through the city’s -gate. Chuba and Biff attached themselves to the parade and entered -unnoticed. - -Biff had reached a decision. If any member of the House of Kwang could -be located, he felt now would be the time to use the green ring. Keeping -his voice low, he spoke to Chuba. - -“Don’t ask any more questions about Uncle Charlie. But find out, if you -can, if there are any members of the Kwang family around here.” - -“I catch, Biff. If any Kwangs around, Chuba will locate them.” - -The boys wandered through the sprawling city. They made for the market -place, always the center of the most activity. Going from stall to -stall, Chuba made his inquiries. He told the persons he questioned that -once he and his father had served the House of Kwang. Now, he said, in a -sad, tearful voice, he was only a beggar boy. If he could only find one -of the young lords perhaps the lord would remember his father, and give -Chuba a helping hand. - -At mid-morning, Chuba hit pay dirt. He engaged in a long conversation -with a young, slender Chinese. This Chinese was different from the -broad-faced farmers, the stall-keepers, the uniformed soldiers who -thronged the market place. His facial features were fine, his clothing -cleaner and richer than that of those surrounding him. - -Biff watched Chuba anxiously. He saw his friend bob his head up and down -in agreement, then the two parted. - -Chuba rejoined Biff, motioned to him to follow, and Chuba led the way -back to the gates of the city. Once outside, Chuba told Biff of his -conversation. - -“This man I talk to. His name Chan Li. Once he young lord of house like -House of Kwang. Not so big. Not so rich. But House of Li and House of -Kwang good friends. House of Li taken over just like House of Kwang. He -hate government bosses.” - -Biff felt himself becoming excited. This could be the lead they had been -searching for. - -“Did you ask him if any members of the House of Kwang were still in -Jaraminka?” - -“Chuba did. Chan Li say yes. He say he know many things. But he say he -must be very careful. Cannot take us to where Kwang family in hide-out -unless we have proof we friends, not enemies, or police spies.” - -Biff’s hand went inside his cloak. He felt for the ring. This was it. -The ring would bring the good fortune it promised. - -“What’s our next move?” - -“We go back to where Muscles hiding. Then, when sun stands straight up -in sky over our heads, we meet with Chan Li.” - -“Where? Back in the city?” - -“Oh, no. Too much risky. Remember, on our way down to city, we come to -little brook fed by spring?” - -Biff nodded his head. - -“We meet there. Come, we tell Muscles.” - -Back with Muscles, the three held a council. Their plans depended on -what they would learn from Chan Li. But how could Muscles be kept -informed? It wouldn’t do for him to attend the meeting. - -“Maybe I could be there but not be seen,” Muscles said. “Any cover near -the spring where I could hide? Maybe I could overhear what this Li -character has to offer.” - -“I think so, Muscles. Come, we go down now and see. Not too long before -sun stand straight up.” - -Near the spring, they found a heavy thicket where Muscles could conceal -himself. - -“When you’re translating for Biff, raise your voice slightly, Chuba. Not -loud enough to cause suspicion, but loud enough for me to hear.” - -“Let’s have a dry run of that,” Biff suggested. - -Muscles concealed himself in the thicket. Chuba talked to Biff in a tone -slightly louder than normal. - -“You hear all right, Muscles?” Biff asked. - -“You’re coming through loud and clear,” was the reply. - -“How much time before noon?” - -“Ten minutes,” Muscles called back. - -Chuba spoke to Biff. “You stay here now. I go little piece down hill, -see if I can spot Chan Li coming up.” Chuba left. Biff remained silent, -not wanting to give Muscles’ position away by talking to him any more. - -In a few minutes Chuba returned. His face told Biff the story. - -“He’s coming. Be here real quick.” - -“Is he alone?” - -“He by himself.” - -Good, Biff thought. If Chan Li acted suspiciously, or tried any funny -stuff, Muscles lay in waiting. - -Chan Li came into the small clearing around the spring. He bowed low to -Chuba, then repeated the gesture to Biff. - -“He asks who you are, Biff,” Chuba translated. - -“Tell him I am a friend of the House of Kwang. I seek their help.” - -Interpreter Chuba spoke swiftly. - -“He says he needs proof of this. He must be sure you are real true -friend.” - -It was now or never, Biff decided. He reached under his cloak and took -out his key chain. Turning his back to Chuba and Chan Li, he took the -ring off the chain. Turning, he held it out. “Ask Chan Li if this is -proof enough?” - -The slender Chinese stepped forward. He took the ring from Biff’s hand. -He inspected it carefully, then replaced it in Biff’s hand. - -“It is the ring of the Ancient One, the Old Lord of the House of Kwang,” -he said to Chuba. When Chuba gave this information to Biff, his heart -pounded with excitement. - -“Now tell him, Chuba, that we come here to find my Uncle Charles, or to -get any definite information as to where he is.” - -Chuba’s head went up and down. He spoke to Chan Li. Their conversation -went on and on. Biff’s anxiety grew. Chan Li’s answer was all important. - -At long last, much to Biff’s relief, the conversation ended. It was a -solemn-faced Chuba who turned to Biff. “He has told me many things. Many -things we wanted to know.” - -“Well, what are they? What are they?” Biff demanded impatiently. - -“He says Sahib Charles is being hidden from soldiers by House of Kwang.” - -“What!” Biff clapped his hands. He couldn’t contain his joy. “Tell me -more.” - -“Chan Li says more, that Sahib Charles hurt self when plane come down.” - -Biff’s joyful feeling vanished. “Badly? Was he hurt badly?” - -“No. Not too bad. But enough to keep him from traveling. Now he all -better. All is arranged for House of Kwang to help Sahib Charles get -back to Burma.” - -“What can we do to help?” - -“Chan Li will take us to hide-out place. We get Sahib Charles, lead him -back to—” - -Biff held up his hand. “Wait.” Biff felt there was still need for -caution. He didn’t want Chuba to mention the plan for the plane pickup. -He didn’t want him to reveal Muscles’ presence. There was no way of -knowing whether Chan Li understood English or not. Until they reached -Uncle Charlie, it would be wiser, Biff felt, to hold back what little -ammunition they still had. - -“Ask him where is this hide-out where my uncle is?” - -Chuba turned back to Chan Li. He spoke rapidly. Chan Li replied, and -pointed in a direction north of Jaraminka. - -“Just north of the city. In those foothills you can see from here.” - -“How long will it take us to get there?” Biff was asking these questions -for the benefit of the hidden Muscles. - -“An hour, says Chan Li. Maybe little more. But not much.” - -“And is he ready to take us there now?” - -Chuba again nodded assent to the question. - -“Tell him, then, that we are ready to go right now.” - -Chuba spoke to Chan Li. The Chinese replied with a deep bow, and the -sweep of one arm, as if to say, “I lead. You follow.” - -As if speaking to himself, but in a clear voice, Biff said, “An hour -there, an hour with Uncle Charlie, and an hour back—a bit more, perhaps. -Four hours at the most.” Biff stressed the words, “four hours.” - -He hoped Muscles would understand. He hoped Muscles would know that if -they weren’t back in four hours, then something had gone wrong. - -With Chan Li in the lead, they headed for the distant foothills. - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII - The House of Kwang - - -Muscles didn’t move. He kept his eyes glued to his watch until ten -minutes had passed. Not until then did he think it safe to come out of -his hiding place. He had overheard every word. He, too, had been -thrilled at hearing that his good friend, Charles Keene, was safe. - -Going back up the hillside, being very careful to take the protection of -all cover on the way, Muscles muttered to himself his admiration of -Biff. - -“Smart kid, that Biff,” he said softly. “He’s not showing his whole -hand. He wants to be shown first.” Muscles looked at his watch. The -hands pointed to 12:30. - -“Four hours, Biff said. That will make it four-thirty.” Muscles grinned. -“If they’re not back by that time, Muscles is going to muscle in.” - -Nothing was said for the first half hour as Chan Li led Biff and Chuba -into the foothills to the north of Jaraminka. Chan followed a course -which curved around the city. The city lay below them, about three miles -away, nestled in the center of an oval-shaped valley, rimmed by hills. - -The growth on the sloping hillside was thick, but the path they traveled -was wide and cleared enough for easy going. They made good speed. When -they reached a point almost due north of the city, the path turned -sharply to the left, and the incline steepened. - -They puffed their way up the path, putting the city farther and farther -behind them. After a particularly steep climb, they reached a level -area. Looking ahead, Biff saw that the path came to a dead end against a -low, stone wall. Gaping holes in the wall showed that it had been a -long, long time since any care had been taken of it. - -Chan Li came to the wall and scrambled over it. Biff and Chuba followed. -Chan Li called a halt once they were inside the wall, and standing in a -thick clump of trees. Chan spoke to Chuba. Chuba interpreted to Biff. - -“Chan say we almost there. Must go most careful now. Ahead is old house, -big house, once house of important family. Family all dead. Only evil -spirits remain. People afraid of old house.” - -Chan Li pushed deeper into the woods. Biff had no chance to voice -suspicions that were growing in him. He felt that such a house must be -known. But would the “evil spirits” keep authorities from investigating? -Biff shook his head. He didn’t like the situation. He couldn’t tell -exactly why, but his doubts grew stronger. True, the house was deep in a -dense forest. It took quite a climb to reach it. It was a good five -miles from the outskirts of Jaraminka, and there had been no sign of any -other house on their path to reach it. - -The woods started to thin out. Biff could see they were coming to an -opening. As they neared it, Biff saw the gray outlines of several -buildings, linked together by a high stone wall. There was no sign of -life. The buildings, low, sprawling, had an ominous, mysterious quality -about them. The space between the woods and the house was just wide -enough for what once must have been a moat. - -Chan Li led the boys to an arched opening in the wall, and they passed -through it. Before them, Biff saw a large courtyard. A graveled pathway -led to the main door. Three small pools were spaced on either side of -the path from the opening to the house. - -As they neared the door, Biff sensed and felt the presence of someone -behind him. He turned his head. Two Chinese soldiers, each with a -revolver in hand, had closed in behind the three. - -Before Biff could raise his voice in protest, or question Chan Li, the -Chinese guide spoke. - -“Welcome to the House of Kwang.” He entered the door. The guards moved -up behind Biff and Chuba. There was nothing they could do but follow -Chan Li. He led them down a long corridor. The corridor was lined with -small rooms on each side. This may once have been the House of Kwang, -Biff told himself, but there was little doubt as to what it was being -used for now. The small windows in the center of the doors were barred. -At several of the windows they passed, silent men stared out of the bars -at them. - -At the end of the corridor, two more guards threw open a large, richly -decorated door. Chan Li, a leer on his face now, bowed low, and with a -sweep of his arm, ushered the boys through. - -“The courtyard of the Ancient One. The Old Lord of the House of Kwang.” -He spoke the words in perfect English. - -In the center of the room two men sat on high-backed throne chairs. One -of them was richly dressed in a flowing robe, decorated with red and -gold dragons. The other man, much older, was in tattered clothing. A -wispy beard waved downward from his chin. Both men wore tight-fitting -skull caps. - -“Approach, my friends,” said the richly dressed man. Biff and Chuba -crossed the large room until they stood directly in front of the two -men. On closer inspection, Biff saw that the speaker who wore the rich -clothing had coarse facial features. His big, broad nose seemed to have -been ironed onto his face. The other man, though poorly dressed, had a -fine, proud face. He held his head high. His eyes, dimmed by the years, -were the eyes of a frightened man, but of a man who would face his fate -without flinching. - -“You are seeking the master of the House of Kwang, I am informed,” the -younger man said. As he spoke, two men appeared from behind the chairs. -One of them had but one good eye. The lid of the other eye drooped until -the eye was shut. - -The Chinese of the Chicago plane! - -The man turned on a triumphant smile toward Biff. “We meet again, Mr. -Brewster,” he said. - -“Silence, Mao!” commanded the richly robed man. “You have, I am told, a -ring with you, young man. A ring which indicates your great friendship -for the House of Kwang.” The smile left the speaker’s face. He leaned -slightly forward, and his next words were a stern, crisp order. “I’ll -take that ring. I am Ping Lu, master of the house.” - -Biff reached into his pocket. He detached the ring and held it out in -his open palm. Just as the richly robed man reached for it, the older -man arose, bent forward, and snatched it. As he did, Ping Lu, with a -sweep of his heavy arm, knocked the old man back into his chair. He -seized the old man’s hand, and pried open his fist. He took the ring. - -The old man spoke. He spoke in Chinese. Ping Lu laughed as the old man -poured out a stream of words. - -“You may interpret for your American friend, if you wish,” Ping Lu said, -addressing Chuba. - -“The Old One is the real Master of the House of Kwang,” Chuba -translated. “He is called Tao Kwang, and is oldest of the remaining -Kwang family. The ring is his. He is much angered that it is now in -hands of richly dressed man.” - -Ping Lu cut in. “True, all true. Once this old fool was the master of -this house. Oh yes, this was one of the many houses owned by him. But -_I_ am master of this house now. It is used by me and my government as a -place where we entertain—” he chortled at the word “entertain”—“our more -important guests. And Tao Kwang, though a doddering old fool now, once -held sway over this territory, and still thinks he has much influence.” - -Tao Kwang spoke again. Again Chuba interpreted. “Ancient One say still -many sons and nephews here. Say for us not to be afraid.” - -“Of course there is nothing to be afraid of,” Ping Lu said. “I hope you -will enjoy your stay with us.” - -“How long do you intend keeping us prisoners?” Biff asked. - -“Prisoners? Let us say ‘guests.’ Of course, we will have to see that you -are protected at all times. That is why it will be necessary to have you -kept in a room guarded by two of my strongest soldiers. You ask how long -will you be staying with us?” - -Biff nodded his head. - -“That, young man, depends on the cooperation I expect to get from you in -a matter of great importance.” - -“What is it?” Biff asked. - -“You will hear, in due time. But first, a few days rest here with us -should, I think, do much to show you the absolute necessity of your -cooperating.” - -Biff didn’t want to think of what the “few days rest” might mean. - -“Tell me this,” Ping continued. “Your paying us this visit surely wasn’t -only because of your friendship with the House of Kwang. I seem to -remember being told of other inquiries your clever young friend made on -your behalf.” He motioned toward Chuba as he spoke. - -Biff decided on a show of boldness. There was nothing to be gained by -cowering before this self-important official. - -“You’re right. I have come here in search of my uncle. His name is -Charles Keene.” - -“So. Well, perhaps I can be of assistance to you. Perhaps the ring you -brought with you from so many thousands of miles away will bring you -good fortune.” - -Biff felt like the mouse the cat was playing with. - -“Is he here?” Biff demanded. - -Ping Lu clapped his hands. The Chinese with the bad eye, whom he had -called Mao, came to him. Ping Lu leaned over and spoke softly into Mao’s -ear. Neither Biff nor Chuba could hear what was said. Mao left the room. - -Ping Lu turned to Chan Li. He had been standing just behind the boys -during the conversation. - -“You may go now, Chan Li. And your reward will be given you as you -leave.” - -Chan bowed, and turned toward the door. - -Tao Kwang, the Ancient One, spat out a single word as Chan left. - -Biff looked at Chuba. “He call him traitor,” Chuba said. - -Ping Lu leaned back in his chair. He clasped his fat hands over his -bulging belly. A smirk of satisfaction was stamped on his face. - -The rasp of a door opening on the right side of the huge room caused -Biff to turn his head sharply. Through the door, prodded from behind by -the gun barrels of two soldiers, walked Uncle Charlie. - - - - - CHAPTER XIX - Uncle Charlie’s Story - - -“Biff!” Charles Keene shouted his nephew’s name hoarsely. He crossed the -room and placed his hands on Biff’s shoulders. Strangely, the guards -made no move to stop him. - -“Gee, Uncle Charlie—” Biff broke off. He felt his voice choke up and -knew he wasn’t far from tears. This, he told himself, would never do. -Not in front of the leering Ping Lu. - -“I’m sure glad we found you, sir. Chuba came with me.” - -Chuba was grinning at Uncle Charlie. “We find you okay, Sahib Charlie. -You in good shapes?” - -“I’ve been very well cared for,” Uncle Charlie replied, stressing the -word “very.” “Ping Lu has seen to that.” - -Uncle Charlie glanced at Ping Lu, then deliberately turned from him and -bowed low to Tao Kwang. A fleeting smile crossed the Ancient One’s face. - -“Quite a reunion,” Ping Lu said. “And surely a most happy one.” - -“It would be, under different circumstances,” Charles Keene said. - -“Those circumstances can be altered to suit you and your nephew, Keene,” -Ping Lu said. He added, “It is but a slight thing I ask you to do.” - -Charles Keene shrugged his shoulders. - -“Perhaps you would like to discuss it with your nephew. And I’m sure the -Ancient One could advise you well.” Ping Lu clapped his hands. The door -through which Charles Keene had entered opened again. Across the room -came a tall, white-robed man. Biff glanced at the man, then stared hard -at him. It was Palung, the Chinese who had attempted to kidnap him at -the Rangoon airport. - -Palung didn’t even look at Biff. Biff’s escape from him and his two -knife-wielding thugs, had undoubtedly caused Palung to lose face. -Certainly Palung must have been disgraced in the eyes of his superior, -Ping Lu. - -“Show our guests to the large court. They have much to talk about. And -be sure this time the young one doesn’t get away.” The expression on -Ping Lu’s face, the bark in his voice plainly said, “That’s an order.” - -The two guards who had escorted Charles Keene into the room took their -positions behind the three. A short, crisp sentence came from Ping Lu’s -lips. The Ancient One arose from his chair and joined them. Palung led -them from the room. The guards stayed close behind. - -The room they were taken to was large, but sparsely furnished. There -were two wooden chairs, plain but sturdy. Low benches, used for -sleeping, lined the walls. - -The door closed behind the four, and they could hear a key turning in -the door’s lock. No one spoke for several moments. Then Biff went to the -door to peer through its barred window. His stare was returned by a -guard’s expressionless face. - -Biff turned back to rejoin the group. - -“All right, young man,” Charles Keene said. “Now suppose you just tell -me how you happen to be here.” - -“I will, Uncle Charlie. But first, don’t you think we’d better check to -see if this room is bugged?” - -“You’re right, Biff. Should have thought of that myself. There could -very well be a microphone hidden in this room. I imagine Ping Lu would -be most interested in what we’ll be talking about.” - -The inspection of the room took only a few minutes. The walls were bare. -There were no light fixtures, no wiring. There was no place where a -microphone could have been concealed. - -“Guess we’re safe from their ears,” Uncle Charlie said. “But why did -they put us together? They’ve got some reason, I know.” - -Biff nodded his head. He picked up one of the chairs and placed it near -the bench directly opposite the barred door. Chuba brought over the -other one. Biff wanted to be as far away from the guard as possible. -Plans had to be made. Biff didn’t want them upset by any eavesdropper. - -The two Americans and the two Chinese huddled by the wall. They spoke in -low tones. Biff quickly sketched in his experiences since leaving -Indianapolis. Then he plied his uncle with questions. - -“But what I don’t understand, Uncle Charlie, is why they would want to -capture me? I’m sure that blinky-eyed Chinese was spying on me from the -moment I left Indianapolis. Even before, according to your friend Ling -Tang.” - -“You’re right, Biff.” - -“And then I’ve told you how they tried to put the snatch on me at the -airport. But why?” - -“I can’t give you all the answers, Biff. I’m not sure of them myself. -But I have a pretty good idea.” Charles Keene paused to light a -cigarette. - -“I’ve been held here almost a month, now. Sort of lost track of the -actual number of days. At first I thought they’d ship me off to Peking, -the capital. But if I should agree to what Ping Lu wants me to, it would -be a large feather in his cap. He’d become a big shot in the eyes of the -big bosses in Peking.” - -“What does he want you to do?” Biff asked. - -“Just sign a paper.” - -“Sign a paper? Is _that_ all?” Biff asked, disbelief in his voice. - -Charlie Keene nodded his head. “It would be quite a document, Biff. He -hasn’t let me read it, but from what he has said, I get the message.” - -“But why the paper, Uncle Charlie?” - -“That’s what I’m not altogether sure of. I think Ping Lu believes—in -fact, I know he does—he’s convinced that I came into China for a reason -quite different from the real one. He believes the reason I gave him for -daring to enter this forbidden country is merely a cover-up story for my -real mission.” - -“What does he think you’re doing here?” Biff insisted. - -Charles Keene grinned. “He has me marked as a big fat spy.” - -An idea was buzzing around Biff’s mind. He thought he might have -stumbled on why Ping Lu was spy-minded. But he’d tell Uncle Charlie -about that later. He wanted to know some other things first. - -“But how does this all connect up with me?” Biff asked. - -“I figure it this way, Biff. I’m sure if Palung had been able to kidnap -you, they’d have started putting the pressure on me much sooner. When -you escaped, it upset their plans and their timetable. They had to have -you to force my hand.” - -“To sign the paper, you mean?” - -“That’s right. They would have held you hostage. They would have -promised to release you, unharmed, if I would agree to their demands.” - -“You wouldn’t trust them to live up to their promise?” - -“No. But more than that. I didn’t think they had you. Certain questions -I asked led me to believe you were safe in Unhao.” - -“And now I turn up right in their own backyard.” - -“That’s about it. I expect now they’ll start turning up the heat.” - -“What do you figure is in this paper they want you to sign?” - -“I think, Biff, they want me to sign an official paper, stating that I -came here under the orders of the United States Government to spy on the -Chinese. Just what they think I was looking for, I don’t know.” - -“Would such a document be so damaging?” - -“Very. It would embarrass our government and put an additional strain on -relations that are strained enough already. In the eyes of the world, -the Chinese could use such a paper to further discredit our country. -They would aim the propaganda at those countries that are wavering in -their opinion of the U.S.” - -“Just why did you come into China? I think I know, but I’d like to be -sure,” Biff said. - -“It goes back to Indianapolis and to my friendship with Ling Tang.” - -“I thought so.” - -“Ling Tang is a grandson of the Ancient One here. Before I left to come -out to Burma, Ling Tang asked me if I would help him and members of the -House of Kwang if the occasion should arise. Naturally, I told my old -friend that I would. Didn’t know then, though, how much I was letting -myself in for.” - -The Ancient One, although unable to understand English, pricked up his -ears at mention of Ling Tang and the House of Kwang. - -“I’d been out here about three months when I got a letter from Tang -telling me one of his brothers was going to try to escape from China. He -was going to try to cross into Burma. He would seek me out, identifying -himself with the ring which bears the seal of the House of Kwang.” - -“Like the ring that came through my window?” - -“That’s right, Biff. Tang’s brother did get out. He gave me the ring. I, -in turn, sent it on to Tang in the States. Whenever another escape was -about to take place, the ring was to be sent me to alert me of the fact. -A lot safer than putting such information in writing.” - -“Then it was Ling Tang _himself_ who got the ring to me so -mysteriously!” Biff said. - -“Yes. You were to bring that ring to me, and then I would know that -another Kwang was on the way out.” - -“But why didn’t you wait?” Biff asked. “Wait until I got here with the -ring?” - -“I couldn’t. There’s an underground network that passes information -along. From it, I learned that the Ancient One had finally been -persuaded to seek haven and peace in the outside world. I also learned -that he was in grave danger of being made a prisoner. If this happened, -then all members of the House of Kwang would have to obey the orders of -the Chinese Red government. The government believes that the House of -Kwang has hidden valuables worth millions of dollars. If they took the -Ancient One prisoner, the family would be forced to tell where these -valuables are or never see the head of their family again. And you know -how the Chinese worship and revere the head of the house.” - -Chuba sat silent, wide-eyed, as Charles Keene told his story. - -“It was foolish of me, I guess. But when I heard they were about to move -in on the Ancient One, I decided on a gamble. I sent word back that I -was flying in. They were to have the Ancient One ready. I’d pick him up -and come out. I had the whole thing figured out. Wouldn’t take more than -five hours in and out. I also figured on the element of surprise. No one -would be expecting such a bold move.” - -“And what happened?” - -“Everything got fouled up. My starboard motor conked out. Carburetor -iced up in the rarefied atmosphere. Couldn’t maintain flying speed and -had to make a forced landing. Banged the plane up so I couldn’t take off -again. And then, just as I was making a signal to Unhao, they grabbed -me.” - -“That _was_ you then. Your signal came the first morning I was in -Unhao.” - -“So part of it did get through! I hoped it had.” Charlie continued his -story. “I was brought here, and the next day, they brought in the -Ancient One.” - -The conversation was cut short by the sound of the key turning in the -door. It swung open, and a Chinese entered bringing food. Biff hadn’t -realized how much time had passed. But now he realized he was ravenously -hungry. As the servant placed the food on one of the benches, the guard -stood just inside the door, his gun covering the prisoners. - -Nothing was said as they ate. All were famished. Biff raised his plate -to scrape up the last few grains of rice. As he did so, his eye was -caught by a small, square piece of thin paper stuck on the bottom of the -plate. - -He removed the paper, and once more, saw the symbol “K,” the seal of the -House of Kwang. - -Without a word, Biff handed it to the Ancient One. The old man looked at -it. Now it was his time to talk as the Americans and Chuba listened. - - - - - CHAPTER XX - Muscles “Muscles” In - - -Muscles checked his watch for the tenth time in the past five minutes. -He was growing more and more impatient. The minute hand showed it to be -ten minutes past four o’clock. Twenty minutes remained before Biff’s -four-hour deadline would run out. - -The powerful mechanic had returned to the spring. He kept his eyes -turned in the direction of the path taken by Chan Li, Biff, and Chuba. -He kept them turned that way except for the times he glared at the -crystal of his watch. - -There was no sign of anyone. He could see the path at several spots. He -had watched closely as long as he could when the party of three had -left. Since their departure, he had seen no one. - -“They could be back by now,” he said to himself. “Plenty of time to get -there and back.” Impatiently, he strode up and down. Deep within him, -Muscles knew that he really wasn’t expecting them to return. His doubts, -his fears had grown as the minutes became hours. He pounded his fist -into the palm of his other hand. He wanted action. He was a man of -action. This waiting, he told himself, was strictly for the birds. - -At 4:25, Muscles could stand it no longer. He started for the path. If -Biff, Chuba, Charlie Keene, and their guide were returning, he’d meet -them on the way. - -Muscles went along the path at a dog trot. Without realizing, he broke -into a run. He checked himself when he came to the path’s sharp left -turn and the steep rise to the crumbling stone wall. - -Now he was certain that Chan Li had led his friends into a trap. It was -nearly 5:30—an hour over the deadline. The path by the wall, Muscles -noticed, ran each way. Which way to turn, left or right? His decision -was made for him by a sound. Muscles crouched low, just off the path, -out of sight. He could plainly hear someone coming toward him. - -He stared through a small opening in the thick bush he was using as -cover. His muscles tensed, he was ready to spring like a tiger. - -A figure suddenly came into view. It was Chan Li. With a snarl, Muscles -sprang. He jumped on the back of the Chinese. His weight hurled the -slighter man to the ground. Like a cat, Muscles leaped up. He snatched -Chan’s right arm, twisted it, until Chan was face down on the ground. -Muscles, keeping pressure on the arm, plunked himself down on Chan’s -back. Increasing pressure on the arm until Chan gasped in pain, Muscles -rasped out, “Okay, let’s have it, and fast. Where are the boys?” - -Chan didn’t answer. - -“You’re going to be a one-armed Chinese if you don’t talk.” Muscles -cupped his free hand on the back of Chan’s head. He ground the man’s -face in the dirt. “Talk!” - -The pain was bad enough, but the humiliation of having his face ground -into the dirt, of losing face literally, was more than Chan could stand. - -“I talk,” he said. - -Muscles released the pressure. He stood up. “Now get up, you dog. Get up -and tell me what happened.” - -“I had to do it. I had to lead boys to Ping Lu. If I don’t, he do great -harm to my family.” - -“Ping Lu? Who’s he? Member of the Kwang tribe?” - -“No, he big boss in this territory.” - -“So, you turned traitor to your own. Where are the boys?” - -“In big house, not far from here.” - -“Let’s get going then. Show me the way.” - -Chan Li seemed to shrink in size at Muscles’ words. “Oh, no! No! Never. -They kill me. They kill you if we go back. Many guards. All armed.” - -Muscles thought fast. “Charles Keene is there, too?” - -Chan nodded his head. - -“Now listen, you double-crosser. I don’t trust you, but I’ve got to. Do -you know any members of the Kwang family who are opposed to this Ping Lu -you mentioned?” - -“Oh, yes. Are many around here.” - -“All right. Now get this, and get it straight. You’re going to take me -to one of them. And if you try to cross me, you’ll die along with me. I -can knock you off with one blow.” Muscles held a clenched fist to Chan’s -face. He twisted it on the Chinese’s nose. “I’ll be this close to you -all the time. And believe me, I’ll get you before anyone gets me. -Understand?” - -“I understand. Chan Li won’t try double cross.” - -“Okay. Let’s get going then. And on the double.” - - -The Ancient One took the slip of paper from Biff. He looked at it -carefully, then nodded his head. He turned to Chuba and spoke softly, -swiftly. After a few moments, he stopped and indicated with a nod toward -Biff and Charles Keene that Chuba was to interpret. - -“The Ancient One says there is great hope for escape. This piece of -paper comes from one of his grandsons. He works in the kitchen. It is -not known by the officials here that this cook is member of the House of -Kwang. He was placed here to spy on Ping Lu. To try to find out plans. -To warn when danger threatens Kwang House people.” - -The Ancient One resumed his speaking. - -[Illustration: _He grabbed the guard by the collar and lifted him by one -hand into the room_] - -“He says that paper with ‘K’ on it is signal. Either tonight, when clock -makes twelve strikes, or tomorrow night at same time, attempt will be -made to rescue him and us.” - -“How, Chuba? Ask him how?” Biff said. - -As Chuba spoke, the Ancient One shook his head. - -“Does not know exact plans. His grandson will try to be servant who -comes for tray. He will tell us plan.” - -Biff looked at his uncle. “Guess there’s nothing we can do but wait.” - -Uncle Charlie agreed. “But things look good. When members of the House -of Kwang act, they’re usually successful.” - -“Then how in the world did they ever let the Ancient One get captured in -the first place?” Biff asked. - -“I think the Ancient One himself had something to do with that. He -doesn’t really want to leave his homeland. He is old, and like all -Chinese, he wants his final resting place to be in the earth of his -native land.” - -“I’ve heard that was true—Look, Uncle Charlie, I think I may have an -idea as to why Ping Lu is so desperate for you to sign that paper.” - -“Give out, Biff. Give out.” - -“Well, I’m not sure, of course, but on our way to Jaraminka, we ran into -something very strange.” - -“Was much big workings,” Chuba cut in. “Many, many more big machines -than when camp was cleared at Unhao.” - -“Tell me more, Biff.” - -Biff described the activity they had discovered behind the wire fence. -He told his uncle of the immensity of the project, of the furious pace -at which the men worked, of the bulldozers, the cranes, the steam -shovels. - -“And there’s an air strip already completed. It was loaded with planes. -You have an idea what it might be?” - -Charles Keene thought a few moments before replying. “Only a slight idea -from what you’ve told me, Biff. I’d have to see the place.” - -“Maybe you can take a look on our way back.” - -“If we ever get out of here,” his uncle said soberly. - -“We’ll get out,” Biff said spiritedly. - -“Hope you’re right, Biff. You know, putting two and two together, the -build-up of the Army in this area, and what you’ve described, it could -be that Ping Lu thinks my real reason for coming in was to get -information on the huge construction job.” - -“That’s what I thought, Uncle Charlie.” - -There was a noise at the door. All four raised expectant, hopeful eyes. -Their expression of hope changed to one of despair. - -The same servant who had brought the meal came into the room to remove -the tray piled with dishes. - -What had happened to the Ancient One’s grandson? - - - - - CHAPTER XXI - Out of the Frying Pan - - -The clank of a heavy key in the lock of the door woke Biff the next day. -He started to yawn, and stretched the kinks from his shoulders and legs. -Abruptly he sat up. It could be the “cook!” Biff’s hopes dimmed when the -man entered. Again it was the same old servant, well protected by an -armed guard. - -Biff looked at the Ancient One. His face was expressionless. Uncle -Charlie shrugged his shoulders at Biff’s questioning look. - -“Don’t let it get you down, Biff. We haven’t lost yet. Maybe at the noon -meal, perhaps we’ll get some word then.” - -“Wish Muscles were here. If he were we could overpower the guard and -make a break for it.” - -“Muscles—what made you think of Muscles all of a sudden?” - -Biff clamped his open hand on his head, his jaw dropped as a thought -struck him. - -“I com-plete-ly forgot to tell you. Muscles is _here_, in _China_, in -Jaraminka!” - -“Where’d you leave him?” Uncle Charlie decided details could be -explained later. - -“Back at a spring, just west of the city. I hope he got my message. I -tried to tell him—he was hiding, but I’m sure he could hear us—that if -we weren’t back in four hours then we’d been led into a trap.” Biff’s -words rushed out in one jumbled sentence. - -“That’s the best news I’ve heard yet, Biff. Muscles is a good operator.” - -“But what could he do? He’d be spotted in a minute,” Biff said. - -“Haven’t got the answer to that one,” Uncle Charlie replied. “But I’d -bet on Muscles in any situation. He bulldogs in where angels fear to -tread.” - -The morning hours dragged. As noon approached, Biff became more and more -restless. - -“Wish something would happen—anything! I wonder why Ping Lu hasn’t sent -for us?” - -“Playing a waiting game, Biff,” his uncle replied. “The longer he keeps -us here with no word, the more tense and nervous we’ll get. He knows -that. Uncertainty, waiting, not knowing what move the enemy will make -next is one of the surest ways of making a man reach his breaking point. -And your being here, he reasons, will make me twice as jittery.” - -The hour of noon came and passed. No one came to the prison room. Biff -was wondering how near his breaking point was when, shortly after one -o’clock, the now familiar rasp of a key in the door was heard. - -“Make it be the Ancient One’s grandson,” Biff said half aloud. The -others were praying for the same thing. - -The door swung inward. Whether the new servant was the grandson, Biff -didn’t know. But it was a different man. He brought a tray of food over -and placed it beside Tao Kwang. Biff thought he saw the man’s lips move, -but he couldn’t be sure. The servant left. The door was locked behind -him. Biff looked at Chuba. “Did he say anything? Ask the Ancient One.” - -Chuba spoke softly, rapidly to the old man. The old one’s reply was a -single sentence. Chuba translated: - -“Tonight when the clock makes the twelve strikes.” - -“That’s all? Didn’t give you any details?” - -“That’s all Ancient One tell Chuba. I think that all grandson tell the -Ancient One.” - -Never had Biff known a day to pass so slowly. The suspense became -unbearable. Charlie Keene tried to calm Biff down. - -“I think you’d be better off if you’d try to rest. Pacing back and forth -isn’t going to make the time go by any quicker. Get Chuba to teach you -the Oriental art of patience.” - -“Rest? Who can rest at a time like this?” Biff replied. Then he was -ashamed at the angry tone in his voice. “I’m sorry, Uncle Charlie. I -didn’t mean to—” - -“I understand, Biff. But you may need all your strength when midnight -comes. Try stretching out for a little while.” - -Biff took his uncle’s advice. His mind was in a turmoil as he lay on the -hard wooden bench, his cupped hands beneath his head serving for a -pillow. Sleep would never come, he told himself. The next thing he knew, -he was being gently shaken. Uncle Charlie was bending over him, -grinning. - -“Almost midnight, Biff. Better come alive.” - -“Midnight!” Biff sat up in astonishment. He couldn’t believe it. “But -what about supper? Did I sleep right through it?” - -“No one brought anything tonight. Don’t know why.” Charles Keene picked -up the kerosene lamp which gave the room its only light, and blew it -out. “If anything is going to happen, it would be better if the guards -thought we were asleep.” - -They waited in the darkness. There was no conversation. But the tension -in the room was so strong, it seemed as though you could touch it like a -physical thing. Biff knew he could feel it. - -Biff’s hopes went high and low like a playground swing. Suddenly his -ears caught a strange noise. It came from the far end of the corridor -through which Biff and Chuba had been led to Ping Lu. - -The noise grew louder. Shouts were heard. Running feet could be heard in -the corridor. Biff sprang to the barred window of the door. He peered -into the dimly lighted hall. The guard was gone. Now the cries became -louder. - -“Chuba! Can you make out what’s being said?” - -Chuba came to the door. He put his head close to the bars. - -“Fire! Much shoutings of fire. Fire in kitchen!” - -In the kitchen. Where the grandson served as a cook. This must be it! - -Moments passed. Heavy footsteps were heard in the hall. Biff, his uncle, -and Chuba crowded toward the door. Only the Ancient One remained where -he was, seated on the far wall bench. He sat quietly, waiting. - -The sound of running feet came nearer. A figure skidded to a stop by -their door. Behind this figure stood what was certainly the biggest -Chinese in all the Orient. - -The key turned. The grandson came in. Behind him came the giant. Under -an almost concealing broad-brimmed hat, the “Oriental” was grinning -widely. - -“Muscles! How did you get here?” Biff and Charlie shot the question at -their friend in the same breath. - -“No time for an answer now. We got to make with the feet. There’s enough -excitement in the kitchen now to cover our escape.” - -The grandson was at the side of the Ancient One. He helped him to his -feet. - -“Hold it,” Muscles called out. “Let me see if the coast is clear.” He -leaned out the door. “Looks okay—oh-oh—hold it. A guard’s coming along. -I’ll take him.” - -And he did. As the guard reached the door, Muscle’s huge arm snaked out. -He grabbed the guard by the collar and lifted him by one hand into the -room. With his other hand, he struck the guard a chopping blow, and the -guard went limp without uttering a sound. Charlie Keene caught him as he -slumped over. - -“Stack him in the corner, Charlie. Might be another one coming along.” - -Muscles was right. Another guard came trotting down the hall and -received the same treatment. - -“Two down—how many to go?” Muscles was enjoying himself. - -“More guards coming,” Chuba whispered excitedly. - -“Two of them this time,” Muscles said. “Makes a more even match.” - -The giant mechanic waited until the two were in the corridor a pace -beyond the door. He jerked the door open, pounced on the two guards, and -in a swooping motion, cracked their heads together. He dragged them into -the room. - -“Muscles, look, let’s put these four on the benches. Anybody looking in -will think it’s us sleeping,” Biff suggested in a whisper. - -“Smart,” Uncle Charlie agreed, nodding. The unconscious guards were -carefully posed as drowsy prisoners. Chuba had taken a position just -outside the door as this was being done. - -“No more guards coming,” he called softly. - -The four prisoners left their cell. Muscles motioned to the grandson for -the keys. He turned the lock. - -“Don’t know whether you’d call that a fair exchange,” he said, “but it’s -an even one.” - -“Come. We must lose no more time.” The grandson took the lead. The -others followed. They passed through the room where Ping Lu had held -court. A door on the other side of the room led to another corridor, -this one narrower and shorter. - -“Hope he knows where he’s going,” Biff said. - -“He ought to. This used to be his home. He grew up here,” Muscles -replied. - -At the end of the corridor, their path was blocked by another door. The -grandson tried it. It wouldn’t yield. - -“No keys,” he said. - -“Okay then, stand back.” Muscles took six steps away from the door. -Then, with a bull-like charge, he hurtled his powerful body against it. -The door sprang from its hinges, fell flat on the ground outside, with -Muscles sprawling on top of it. - -It took only seconds to reach the stone wall. The Ancient One was helped -over. Biff turned as he crossed the wall. One end of the house was -ablaze. Figures could be seen running frantically around, casting weird, -dancing shadows. - -As Biff watched, he saw four men leave the light of the blaze and come -on a run to the place in the wall they had just crossed. - -“Hurry,” Biff shouted. “They’re after us.” - - - - - CHAPTER XXII - Hong Kong and Points East - - -The party moved swiftly through the night. The grandson never hesitated. -He knew every bend and turn in the path. Suddenly he stopped. - -“We must rest a few minutes,” he said. “Honorable grandfather is old. He -cannot stand this pace.” - -“But we’ve got to keep going,” Biff insisted. “I saw four men leave the -fire and come after us.” - -“Fear not, my friend. I think I know who they are. But stay here, I’ll -go back down the path and make certain,” the “cook” said. - -The grandson vanished in the night. Biff felt sure that any moment the -party would be jumped by pursuing guards. Then he heard voices. The -grandson came back, followed by four men. - -“My brothers and cousins,” the grandson said. “They are more grandsons -of the Old Lord. One of them is brother to your friend Ling Tang.” - -Muscles stepped into the group. “Sure, I know these guys. They’re okay. -These are real members of the House of Kwang. I made that double-crosser -Chan Li take me to them. We worked out the whole escape. This fellow,” -Muscles pointed to the grandson-servant, “he started the whole thing. -Set the kitchen on fire. Then he grabbed the keys, and led me to your -room. The others stayed back to watch the guards. Held some of them back -all right. Must have been more than twenty on duty.” - -“We can go on now,” the grandson said quietly. “The Ancient One has -rested.” - -Two grandsons came to the side of the old man. Each placed a supporting -arm around his waist. The party continued on its way. - -Except for short, regular rest periods, they kept going all night. As -dawn broke, the party stopped for a lengthier rest. All were near -exhaustion from the excitement and the steady pace they had kept up. The -Old One slept like a baby, held in the arms of one of his grandsons. - -They rested most of the morning. It was far safer to travel at night. On -the second day, as they reached a safer distance from Jaraminka, they -continued toward the plateau where Jack Hudson was to pick them up. In -turn, the grandsons went ahead to make certain no one was lying in wait -for them. - -“Biff, are we anywhere near the spot where you saw all that -construction?” Uncle Charlie asked. - -“We should be,” Biff replied. “We should be nearing the valley soon. -What do you think, Chuba? And you, Muscles?” - -“Chuba think we reach it right over next hill.” - -“I’ll trust Chuba’s judgment,” Muscles chimed in. - -Chuba was right. The valley was over the next hill. They had reached it -at a point below where it rose steeply to the metal fence. - -“The rest of you wait here,” Charles Keene ordered. “I’ll make a quick -trip for a fast look-see.” - -“And _I’m_ with you,” Biff said quickly. His uncle gave him a look, -hesitated for a moment, but apparently decided not to protest. - -“But Charlie—” Muscles started to say. - -“No buts about it. Come on, Biff.” - -Uncle and nephew climbed the slope. Biff found the opening in the fence. -They crawled underneath and reached the rim of the huge amphitheater. -Uncle Charlie stared down at the activity for minutes. He took in every -detail, storing the information in his mind. A nodded signal told Biff -they were going back. - -Once down on the floor of the valley, Biff asked his uncle what he -thought the construction was. - -“I’m almost certain, Biff, that they’re building a rocket launching -site.” - -“Like Cape Canaveral?” - -His uncle nodded his head. “I was at Canaveral at its beginning. Saw the -place grow. That work back up there is much the same type of -construction. Still in its earliest stages, somewhat crude. Be a long -time before they can try a moon shot, or any other kind.” - -“Is knowing about this important?” - -“Important. You just bet it is. News of this development is vital. It’s -the biggest, most important information Uncle Sam has had out of China -in years. You really found something, Biff.” - -Shortly after noon of the second day since their escape, the party -reached the plateau where Muscles had been landed by Jack Hudson. - -“This is it,” Muscles said. “If Jack gets my signal, we’ll be away and -winging by dark. Here, Chuba, take the end of this wire and scamper up -that tree. Attach it to the highest limb you can reach.” - -The antenna was connected to the portable transmitter. The tree’s height -increased the distance of transmission possible. Ground transmission -would have limited the signal. - -“All is okay, Muscles,” Chuba called down. Muscles picked up the hand -mike. He snapped on a button. A slight hum could be heard. - -Muscles turned to the anxiously waiting group. “Let’s hope I get -through. I can’t repeat my signal more than once. It may be picked up by -the enemy.” He grinned at them. “Well, here goes.” Muscles held the mike -close to his mouth. “There’s gold in these hyar hills....” He waited ten -seconds. “Repeating.... There’s gold in these hyar hills.” - -[Illustration: _The plane winged in on the prayers of the group_] - -He snapped off the transmitter. “That was our pre-arranged signal. It -tells Jack Hudson that I’ve found you and that we’re all set to come -out. If he got my signal, he’s on his way to the plane right now, I -hope, I hope, I hope. It’s been on the runway, warmed up around the -clock, ever since he got back.” - -“Well, we’ll know in about two hours,” Uncle Charlie said. - -Jack did get the signal. Almost exactly two hours after Muscles’ signal, -the faint hum of a plane was heard. It grew louder, and then came into -sight. It winged in on the prayers of the whole group, the most welcome -sight Biff had ever seen. - -Farewells were short. The moment the plane touched down, the Ancient One -was put aboard. The others followed fast. - -The last Biff saw of the Ancient One’s grandsons was a picture he would -keep in his heart and mind forever. The five grandsons stood in a line, -facing in the direction of the departing plane. All were bowing deeply -to show their gratitude. - -No one really relaxed until the plane crossed the border, but they -reached Unhao with no trouble. Jack Hudson taxied the plane to a neat -stop and whistled in relief, “Whew-uw!” Then briskly he turned to the -group. “We’re going to refuel and take right off again,” he announced. - -“What’s the hurry, Jack?” Charlie asked. “How’s about letting me have a -bath?” - -“Man, do you know how hot you and Biff have become since you went -inside? There have been spies all over the camp. You and Biff aren’t -even to get out of this plane. Biff’s things and yours are all packed. -I’ve got ’em in the luggage compartment. Soon as this crate is refueled, -it’s off for Hong Kong. You can dunk the body there.” - -“But what about you, Jack?” - -“Oh, they don’t want me. It’s you two got the information they want to -keep from getting out. I don’t know what you know, and I don’t want to. -They don’t know I’ve crossed into the big ‘C.’” - -Biff looked at Chuba. Unashamed tears filled the native boy’s eyes. Biff -choked up. “Don’t worry, Chuba, we’ll meet again,” he said, and meant -it. - -Muscles ruffled Chuba’s dark hair and said, “Chum, next year you and I -go Stateside, and we’ll visit this character.” Muscles gave Biff an -affectionate punch on the chin. “See you soon,” he said, as he and Chuba -left the plane. - -They made Hong Kong safely. Biff and his uncle found a U.S. military -policeman, who took them to the consulate. There they reported their -discovery to an amazed official. - -“You have performed a great service for your country,” the embassy -official said solemnly, and added with a faint smile, “although you -should have your passports taken away for such a foolhardy venture.” - -“I know you’re right, sir,” Charles Keene said, “but I would like to ask -a favor of you. Can you get us out of Hong Kong?” - -“So fast it will make your head swim. Diplomatically speaking, we don’t -want you around here. There’s a jet bomber taking off for Honolulu in an -hour. You’ll be on it. From there, you’re on your own.” - -Two hours later, Biff and his uncle were winging over the blue Pacific, -homeward bound—and sound asleep. - - - _A Biff Brewster Mystery Adventure_ - - MYSTERY OF THE CHINESE RING - - By ANDY ADAMS - -Burma! Biff Brewster can hardly believe he’ll soon be flying to Burma to -visit his Uncle Charlie. Not even when a green jade ring comes hurtling -through his bedroom window is he fully aware of the excitement and -danger awaiting him. - -Is the ring a good-luck charm or a bad omen? Biff suspects that Uncle -Charlie’s sudden departure from Cape Canaveral to Burma might well have -international implications, and that the ring is a warning. - -But even with a warning, Biff is still a boy alone in a strange country. -As he disembarks at Rangoon, the young adventurer walks straight into an -attempted kidnaping. Using his wits, Biff escapes from his captors only -to learn that his uncle is somewhere in the heart of Red China, perhaps -in serious trouble. - -Horrified at the news, Biff persuades Chuba, a Burmese boy, to lead him -through the jungle swamplands and across the Chinese border. Once in -forbidden enemy territory, Biff uncovers the strange meaning of the jade -ring, learns of the secret mission which has brought his uncle to Red -China, and discovers a startling project of vital importance to the -United States. - -Join Biff Brewster in more thrilling, world-wide adventure stories, now -available at your local booksellers. - - - _NEW!_ BIFF BREWSTER - Mystery Adventures - - By ANDY ADAMS - - [Illustration: Biff Brewster] - -Biff Brewster, sixteen, is a tall, strongly built blond youth who lives -in Indianapolis, Indiana, with his parents and the eleven-year-old -twins, Ted and Monica. Because his mother and father believe that travel -is as important to education as formal schooling, Biff is encouraged to -travel to various countries during the vacation months. His experiences -in these lands, and the young people he meets there, form the basis of a -new series for adventure-loving readers. In every journey there is a -strong element of mystery, usually a direct result of conditions -peculiar to the region in which he is traveling. Thus, in addition to -adventure, these books impart carefully researched information about -foreign countries. - -_Start reading one today_— - - (1) BRAZILIAN GOLD MINE MYSTERY - (2) MYSTERY OF THE CHINESE RING - (3) HAWAIIAN SEA HUNT MYSTERY - (4) MYSTERY OF THE MEXICAN TREASURE - (5) AFRICAN IVORY MYSTERY - (6) ALASKA GHOST GLACIER MYSTERY - - - GROSSET & DUNLAP, Inc. Publisher - New York 10, N. Y. - - [Illustration: Endpapers] - - - - - Transcriber’s Notes - - ---Copyright notice provided as in the original—this e-text is public - domain in the country of publication. - ---Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard spellings and - dialect unchanged. - ---In the text versions, delimited italics text in _underscores_ (the - HTML version reproduces the font form of the printed book.) - - - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Mystery of the Chinese Ring, by Andy Adams - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MYSTERY OF THE CHINESE RING *** - -***** This file should be named 51608-0.txt or 51608-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/1/6/0/51608/ - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Dave Morgan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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clear:both; font-variant:small-caps; } - .toc dt span.lj { text-align:left; display:block; float:left; } - .toc dt.jr { font-style:normal; } - .toc dt a span.cn, .toc dt span.cn, dt span.cn { width:3.5em; text-align:right; margin-right:.7em; float:left; } - dt .large {font-weight:bold; } - div.bcat dl dd { margin-left:4em; max-width:21em; } - div.bcat dl dt { text-indent:-2em; margin-left:2em; } - -.clear { clear:both; } -.htab { margin-left:8em; } - /* MAXWIDTH FOR JUVENILE BOOKS */ - p, blockquote, li, dd, dt, div.bcat, pre { text-align:justify; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; } - p, li, dd, dt, div.bcat, pre.internal dl { max-width:25em; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; } - p.csmaller { max-width:38em; } - p.csmallest { max-width:40em; } - blockquote { max-width:23em; } - - - div.verse { max-width:25em; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; } - div.bq { margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; max-width:23em; } -/* book advertisements */ - p.bkad {font-size:125%; font-weight:bold; margin-top:2em; max-width:20em; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; } - p.bkpr {font-size:90%; } - p.bkrv { } - dl.blist dt { margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; } - dl.blist, dl.biblio { margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; max-width:25em; } - - dl.int { margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; max-width:25em; } - dl.int dt {margin-left:0em; } - dl.int dd {margin-left:2em; } -</style> -</head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Mystery of the Chinese Ring, by Andy Adams - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Mystery of the Chinese Ring - A Biff Brewster Mystery Adventure - -Author: Andy Adams - -Release Date: March 31, 2016 [EBook #51608] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MYSTERY OF THE CHINESE RING *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Dave Morgan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - -<div class="img"> -<img id="coverpage" src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Mystery of the Chinese Ring" width="600" height="778" /> -</div> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/p00.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="726" /> -<p class="caption"><i>The boys passed booths selling everything from hot soups to shiny silks</i></p> -</div> -<div class="box"> -<p class="center"><span class="ss">A BIFF BREWSTER -<br />MYSTERY ADVENTURE</span></p> -<h1>MYSTERY -<br />OF THE -<br />CHINESE -<br />RING</h1> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/logo.jpg" alt="Compass" width="300" height="308" /> -</div> -<p class="center"><span class="ss">By ANDY ADAMS</span></p> -<p class="tbcenter"><span class="ss">GROSSET & DUNLAP PUBLISHERS -<br />NEW YORK</span></p> -</div> -<p class="center small">© GROSSET & DUNLAP, INC., 1960</p> -<p class="center small">ALL RIGHTS RESERVED -<br />PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA</p> -<h2>Contents</h2> -<dl class="toc"> -<dt class="jr"><span class="jl"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span></span> <span class="small">PAGE</span></dt> -<dt><span class="cn">I </span><a href="#c1">A Mysterious Gift</a> 1</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">II </span><a href="#c2">Beware, Biff!</a> 8</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">III </span><a href="#c3">Under Chinese Eyes</a> 13</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">IV </span><a href="#c4">A Fortune Cooky</a> 22</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">V </span><a href="#c5">Jack Hudson</a> 31</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">VI </span><a href="#c6">Interrupted Message</a> 39</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">VII </span><a href="#c7">A “Spirited” Box</a> 49</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">VIII </span><a href="#c8">Still Missing</a> 55</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">IX </span><a href="#c9">Into the Jungle</a> 64</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">X </span><a href="#c10">The Barrier</a> 70</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XI </span><a href="#c11">Inside China</a> 81</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XII </span><a href="#c12">Shooting the Yangtze Rapids</a> 90</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XIII </span><a href="#c13">The First Clue</a> 101</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XIV </span><a href="#c14">The Circling Plane</a> 112</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XV </span><a href="#c15">Bandits!</a> 120</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XVI </span><a href="#c16">Strange Discovery</a> 128</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XVII </span><a href="#c17">A Red Hot Lead</a> 135</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XVIII </span><a href="#c18">The House of Kwang</a> 144</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XIX </span><a href="#c19">Uncle Charlie’s Story</a> 152</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XX </span><a href="#c20">Muscles “Muscles” In</a> 161</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XXI </span><a href="#c21">Out of the Frying Pan</a> 168</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XXII </span><a href="#c22">Hong Kong and Points East</a> 175</dt> -</dl> -<h1 title=""><span class="ss">MYSTERY OF THE CHINESE RING</span></h1> -<div class="pb" id="Page_1">1</div> -<h2 id="c1"><span class="small">CHAPTER 1</span> -<br />A Mysterious Gift</h2> -<p>Biff Brewster was suddenly awake—wide -awake. The gray light of dawn outlined the window -of his first-floor bedroom. Something—or someone—was -outside. He felt sure of it. Something had -prodded him out of his deep sleep with startling suddenness.</p> -<p>For a moment he lay still, eyes on the window, his -ears sharply tuned for the slightest sound. He knew, -of course, that he might have been awakened by a -stray dog, or a night-prowling cat. But he didn’t think -so.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_2">2</div> -<p>Very carefully, Biff slipped out of his bed. Bare-footed, -he padded noiselessly toward the window, taking -care to remain outside the dim shaft of early light -coming through. He moved to one side of the window -and peered out cautiously. He detected a slight -movement beneath a gnarled apple tree about thirty -feet away. Then suddenly, swiftly, a figure emerged -from behind the protection of the tree’s drooping -limbs. The figure came at a run toward the window. It -was a man, small and slight of build. He was wearing -blue jeans and a sweat shirt. On the shirt’s front there -was an athletic letter—Biff couldn’t make it out—cut -from luminous cloth, making it glow faintly in the -dawn’s light.</p> -<p>Biff drew back, pressing his body against the wall. -A moment later a white object, the size of a baseball, -came hurtling into the room, tearing a hole in the -screen. It fell with a dull plop on Biff’s pillow. Biff -held his breath, waiting. The man was leaving the -yard on the run. At the sidewalk, he slowed to a casual -saunter. Apparently he did not want to risk attracting -the attention of some early riser.</p> -<p>Biff waited. He counted slowly to a hundred, to -make sure his strange visitor was gone. Once more he -looked out the window. Nothing moved in the eerie -light of the dawn. Biff turned away. Had he waited -a few seconds longer, he would have seen two men -leave the shadows of a corner tree and stealthily follow -the hurler of the object.</p> -<p>Biff snapped on the reading light by his bed and -picked up the object that had been tossed through his -window. It was a round white rock, one of those -used to outline his mother’s herb garden. More interesting -was the heavy piece of twine tied tightly -around it. At the other end of the twine was a ring. It -was a man’s heavy ring, set with a square-cut green -stone. Biff examined it carefully. The stone was dull, -not glittering. He wasn’t sure, but he thought it was -jade. He looked at the ring more closely. On its face -there was an intricately etched marking. “A design?” -he wondered. “No, it looks more like Chinese writing.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_3">3</div> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/p01.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="703" /> -<p class="caption"><i>Nothing moved in the eerie light of dawn</i></p> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_4">4</div> -<p>Twisted into a knot around the ring was a small -piece of paper. Biff unfolded it carefully and -smoothed it out.</p> -<p>“<i>Fortune shines upon, and the gods protect, the -wearer of this ring</i>,” he read.</p> -<p>“‘Protect!’” Biff thought angrily. “Why, that rock -could have conked me but good if I hadn’t left my -bed.”</p> -<p>Biff reread the printed message. “Now what, just -what,” he thought, “has this got to do with me?” He -stretched out on his bed, cupping his hands behind his -head, and stared at the ceiling. Unable to read any -sense into the message, or the mysterious manner in -which the ring had come to him, Biff jumped out of -bed and made for the shower.</p> -<p>Under the pelting needlelike spray, he threw back -his broad shoulders and let the water sting his face -and soak his light-brown hair. Afterward he toweled -himself vigorously, dressed quickly, and placed the -ring on his key chain. He knew his father would be -up, even though it was only six-thirty. Maybe his father -would have some ideas about this or, at least, a -couple of good guesses.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_5">5</div> -<p>Biff bounded into the kitchen.</p> -<p>“Morning, Dad. Say, what do you think happened—” -He stopped short as he saw his mother -come out of the pantry. He didn’t want to mention -the ring incident in front of her. Not yet, anyway. -Not until he had discussed it with his father. He knew -his mother already was worried enough about his impending -trip to far-off Rangoon. Tomorrow was the -day he was leaving.</p> -<p>“Good morning, Biff,” his father greeted him. -“What were you saying?”</p> -<p>“Er—I was just saying it so happens I’m hungry -enough to eat a crocodile. Good morning, Mother. -What’s for breakfast?”</p> -<p>“Certainly not crocodile,” Mrs. Brewster replied. -“Even if you and your father do say crocodile steaks -are delicious. Ugh!” She gave a quick shudder.</p> -<p>Father and son looked at one another and smiled. -They had had to eat crocodile on their Brazilian adventure -when their food supplies had run short.</p> -<p>“What’s on the program this nice bright Saturday -morning?” Biff’s mother asked, putting large portions -of scrambled eggs and bacon before Biff and his -father.</p> -<p>Before a reply could be made, Biff’s brother and -sister, Ted and Monica, eleven-year-old twins, burst -into the room.</p> -<p>“Hi, Mom! Hi, Dad!” they shouted together.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_6">6</div> -<p>“Gee, Biff, just think, tomorrow you’ll be on your -way to Rangoon in Burma, to visit Uncle Charlie,” -Ted said enviously.</p> -<p>“Wish I could go, too,” Monica chimed in.</p> -<p>“You! Why, you’re a girl,” Ted said derisively.</p> -<p>“Now, no arguments, you two,” Mrs. Brewster -said. “Drink your orange juice. I’ll start your eggs.”</p> -<p>“How far from Indianapolis is it to Rangoon?” -Monica asked.</p> -<p>“Quite a way. Six or seven thousand miles at least,” -Mr. Brewster replied.</p> -<p>“You ever been there, Dad?” Ted asked.</p> -<p>“No. I envy Biff. Rangoon is one of the places in -this world I’ve missed so far.”</p> -<p>“And about the only one, Dad, isn’t it?” Biff asked.</p> -<p>“There are a few others,” his father replied. -“Maybe if I had started out as young as you are, I’d -have made them, too. For a sixteen-year-old, you’ve -been about this world of ours quite a bit, me boy-o. -Well, I’m all for it.”</p> -<p>“I am too, Dad,” Biff agreed. “Remember the time -in Brazil, when we—”</p> -<p>“Hold it!” Mrs. Brewster interrupted, laughing. -“Don’t you two get started talking about your adventures. -There’s just this one more day before Biff -leaves, and my goodness, what a lot has to be done!”</p> -<p>Biff smiled. He knew there was hardly anything -left to be done. His mother had finished packing for -him the day before.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_7">7</div> -<p>Just as Mrs. Brewster brought the twins their eggs, -the telephone rang. Monica started to get up. She answered -every phone call.</p> -<p>“You sit still and eat those eggs while they’re hot, -young lady. I’ll take the call,” Mrs. Brewster said.</p> -<p>Biff and his father saw a puzzled look come over -her face as she answered the telephone.</p> -<p>“Yes? I understand. This morning? All right, I’ll -tell them.”</p> -<p>When she returned to the breakfast table she said, -“That was Charlie’s friend, that Chinese merchant, -Mr. Ling. Ling Tang, isn’t it?”</p> -<p>“Why, yes. What did he want?” Tom Brewster -asked.</p> -<p>“He said it is most urgent that you and Biff see him -before Biff leaves for Rangoon.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_8">8</div> -<h2 id="c2"><span class="small">CHAPTER II</span> -<br />Beware, Biff!</h2> -<p>“I think we’d better get down to Ling Tang’s -shop this morning,” Mr. Brewster said. “It must be -something important for him to have called so early. -Especially if he knows Biff is leaving for Burma tomorrow.”</p> -<p>Biff waited until his father had finished his second -cup of coffee, and then rose from the table.</p> -<p>“All set, Dad?” he asked. “I’ll get the car.”</p> -<p>Not until they were in the car did Biff bring up the -subject of the ring.</p> -<p>“What do you think of this, Dad?” He took his -key chain from his pocket, removed the ring, and -placed it in his father’s hand.</p> -<p>Thomas Brewster looked at the ring carefully. “It’s -a beautiful ring. Jade. Where did you get it?”</p> -<p>“Someone threw it at me this morning,” Biff said, a -grin on his tanned face.</p> -<p>“Threw it at you? What do you mean?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_9">9</div> -<p>Biff explained quickly, then handed the note to his -father.</p> -<p>“Read this.”</p> -<p>Mr. Brewster read the words: “<i>Fortune shines -upon, and the gods protect, the wearer of this ring.</i>” -He looked back at his son, shaking his head in puzzlement.</p> -<p>“This is all? You haven’t any idea who the man -was?”</p> -<p>“Not the faintest, Dad.”</p> -<p>“H-m-m.” Mr. Brewster studied the ring again. -“Jade, and it looks Chinese. That call from Ling Tang -may be connected with this in some way.”</p> -<p>“Hey! Maybe you’ve hit on something!” Biff exclaimed.</p> -<p>It was nine o’clock when Biff and his father entered -the small Chinese curio shop of Ling Tang. Ling -Tang, a small, neat man in his middle thirties, greeted -them with a deep bow.</p> -<p>“You honor my humble establishment by your -presence,” he said.</p> -<p>“Rather it is you who honor us by inviting us -here,” Mr. Brewster replied, falling easily into the polite -form of greeting used by the Chinese.</p> -<p>Ling Tang’s shop was filled with graceful Chinese -urns and vases, beautifully decorated with green and -red dragons, flowers, and tree-filled valleys. Chinese -fans hung from wires stretched from wall to wall. In -glass-covered cases were carved idols of jade and delicate -pieces of ivory. A heavy aroma of incense filled -the small store.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_10">10</div> -<p>Ling Tang had attended Butler University in Indianapolis -with Charles Keene, the uncle Biff was going -to visit. They had become close friends, and this had -led to a friendship with the entire Brewster family. -On graduating, Ling Tang had returned to China. -After several years, when the political atmosphere of -Red China had put a stern, cruel check on freedom of -movement and freedom of speech, Ling Tang had fled -his beloved country and returned to America. He had -opened his shop and thrived.</p> -<p>“We received your message, Tang,” Mr. Brewster -said.</p> -<p>Ling Tang placed the tips of his long, well-cared-for -fingers together.</p> -<p>“It is true that your son goes to Burma soon?”</p> -<p>“Yes. Tomorrow.”</p> -<p>Tang’s face remained expressionless. “Perhaps what -I have to tell you is of no importance. I do not wish -to alarm you.” He paused. “This trip was arranged -several months ago?”</p> -<p>Biff and his father nodded their heads.</p> -<p>“And there has been no attempt to keep it secret?”</p> -<p>“There was no need to,” Thomas Brewster stated.</p> -<p>“I wonder. Was the boy’s trip not arranged when -my good friend Charles Keene visited here last?”</p> -<p>“Yes. But I don’t see—” Biff began.</p> -<p>“Your Uncle Charles had just returned from Cape -Canaveral, had he not?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_11">11</div> -<p>Biff nodded his head. Uncle Charlie had been in the -Navy for several years. He was a pilot in the squadron -of planes assigned to tracking missiles fired from -the Cape into the South Atlantic. It was the squadron’s -task to recover the instrument-loaded nose cones -dropped from the powerful rockets.</p> -<p>Uncle Charlie had bounced around the world quite -a bit. He had flown a fighter plane during the Korean -conflict and had traveled as much as he could about -the Orient on his furlough time. He remained in the -Navy following Korea, and was delighted when he -was assigned to Canaveral. But after two years there, -his traveling feet told him, “I want out.” So he had -resigned his commission to join an old pilot friend establishing -a fleet of planes for Explorations Unlimited, -in Burma. Charles Keene wanted badly to get back -to the Orient. He was fascinated by the eastern -countries so different from his own.</p> -<p>“I’m interested in the money, too,” he told the -Brewster family on his visit. “There’re plenty of -American businesses building up in the Orient. Flying -for this outfit in Burma is real opportunity and big -money. I want some of both before I’m too old.”</p> -<p>Explorations Unlimited had its headquarters at Unhao, -on the Irrawaddy River, northeast of Rangoon -near the Chinese border.</p> -<p>“Why don’t you ship Biff out to me for a few -weeks?” Uncle Charlie had suggested. “He could get -a glimpse of the other side of the world—learn a lot, -too.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_12">12</div> -<p>Those words had been music to Biff’s young ears. -A family council had been held, and it had been -agreed that the trip would be a good way for Biff -to spend the remainder of his summer vacation.</p> -<p>“About a month after your uncle’s visit,” Tang continued, -“two men, countrymen of mine, traveling on -Burmese passports, arrived here. They asked many -questions about your uncle.”</p> -<p>“I still don’t see what that has to do with Biff’s -going to Rangoon,” Mr. Brewster said.</p> -<p>“I try your patience,” Tang said. “Now to my -point. Only last night these same two men came again -to our city. This time, <i>they were most curious about -your son, Biff</i>.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_13">13</div> -<h2 id="c3"><span class="small">CHAPTER III</span> -<br />Under Chinese Eyes</h2> -<p>“You said two men,” Biff repeated. “I’ll just bet -you that one of them was the joker who paid me a -visit this morning!”</p> -<p>“You had a visitor? Early this morning?” Ling -Tang asked.</p> -<p>“I’ll say I did. Not a visitor, though. A spy, maybe—sneaking -around the yard and—”</p> -<p>“Hold it, Biff,” his father interrupted. “Why don’t -you show Mr. Ling what the intruder brought you?”</p> -<p>“Brought me,” Biff muttered to himself as he -opened the safety catch of his key chain. “Some way -to bring anything to someone!” He removed the ring -from a tangle of keys—to his foot-locker, his suitcase, -a “secret” box, and to several things he had long since -forgotten about. Taking the ring by the thick circle -of gold, he held it out to the Chinese gentleman.</p> -<p>Ling took the ring in his thin hands. He looked at it -carefully.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_14">14</div> -<p>“A beautiful piece of jade,” he murmured. Bringing -the ring closer to his eyes, he took a loupe—a jeweler’s -magnifying glass—from his pocket to inspect the -ring more minutely. While he did this, Biff filled -him in on how the ring had been “delivered.”</p> -<p>“Exquisitely carved,” Tang said, removing the loupe -from his eye.</p> -<p>“What’s carved on it?” Biff asked.</p> -<p>“It’s the Chinese character which, roughly, would -stand for the capital letter ‘K.’”</p> -<p>“Does that have any significance for you, Tang?” -Mr. Brewster asked.</p> -<p>“Indeed it does. This is the ring of the great House -of Kwang. Before the Communists took over, it was -one of the richest and strongest houses in all China. -This ring was worn by the Great Lord of the house, -and by his sons, the young lords.”</p> -<p>“It’s funny I should get one of them,” Biff said, -laughing. “I’m no young lord.”</p> -<p>Ling Tang smiled. “Most mysterious, true,” he -agreed.</p> -<p>“And if they wanted to give me a ring, why didn’t -they just send it to me, instead of throwing it through -my window and ruining the screen?”</p> -<p>“You did receive it in a most dramatic fashion.”</p> -<p>“You can bet all the tea in China I did,” Biff said.</p> -<p>“Perhaps, young man,” Ling said, “you received it -as you did, so that he who presented it to you could -keep his identity a secret. Even more important”—Ling -paused to drive home his point—“he did it to -keep you from seeing what he looked like.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_15">15</div> -<p>Biff and his father exchanged concerned glances.</p> -<p>“Were you acquainted with the House of Kwang? -Did you know its master?” Mr. Brewster asked.</p> -<p>“It is an old, old family, once strong, once rich.” -An expression of sadness passed fleetingly across -Tang’s face. “Until the Reds moved in and made ruthless -changes, the House of Kwang lived in the same -age-old feudal manner as had the founder of the family -generations ago. They had rich farm lands and -houses of many courts. In the Old Lord’s house, he -who was called the Ancient One, there were more -than a hundred courts. In America you would call -them apartments or suites. Each court had its sleeping -room. A room for eating. And a room, beautifully -decorated with a small fish pond in its center, where -the lords of the house would go to think and meditate -and honor the memories of their fathers and their fathers’ -fathers.”</p> -<p>“And this no longer exists?” Mr. Brewster asked his -friend.</p> -<p>“Gone. All gone. The farm lands divided up into -small communes; the mines, the grain-storage house -snatched away. But the family still clings together. -They still resist. Many of them are in hiding from local -Red officials. The earthly possessions of the House -of Kwang have been torn from them. But the family -is still a proud one. They aid one another, even to -helping the older members escape into the free world.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_16">16</div> -<p>Thomas Brewster had been doing some heavy -thinking. “Tang,” he said. “Tell me this. In what part -of China was the House of Kwang located?”</p> -<p>“In the province of Yunnan, south and somewhat -west of Kunming, the capital of the province.”</p> -<p>Mr. Brewster was creating the map of China in his -mind’s eye. “That would be near the border of -Burma.”</p> -<p>Ling Tang nodded his head gravely.</p> -<p>“Not far from Unhao, on the Irrawaddy River?” -Biff’s father inquired.</p> -<p>“Your memory of China is excellent, my friend. -Once the Old Lord, Tao Kwang, made annual pilgrimages -to Rangoon to visit the shrine of the -Gautama Buddha, the magnificent pagoda of Shwe -Dagon.”</p> -<p>Biff was beginning to put the pieces together. “I -still don’t get it loud and clear, but Uncle Charlie’s -located at Unhao. That’s where I’m going. And Uncle -Charlie’s in Rangoon a lot, isn’t he?”</p> -<p>“Yes, Biff. He is.”</p> -<p>“But the ring—why would someone want me to -have it? Do you suppose they want me to take it with -me?”</p> -<p>“That, my boy, is the question we’d all like to have -the answer to,” Mr. Brewster replied.</p> -<p>“Gosh. Maybe I shouldn’t take the ring with me.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_17">17</div> -<p>Tang spoke up quickly. “Oh, but I think you -should. Its manner of delivery hints of peril. But its -message speaks of fortune and safety.”</p> -<p>Biff took the ring back. As he did so, a young, smiling -Chinese entered the store hurriedly.</p> -<p>“So sorry, revered elder cousin, so sorry to be late. -I change quickly and take over my duties.”</p> -<p>Tang smiled as the young Chinese hurried to the -rear of the store. Biff had noticed the young man was -wearing jeans and a sweat shirt. On the front of the -shirt was the letter “K!” Biff turned and looked -sharply after him.</p> -<p>“Who was that, sir?” Biff inquired of Ling Tang.</p> -<p>“My young cousin—one of them,” Tang said. “He -works afternoons for the Kirby Ice Cream Co. He is -much enthused about your game of soft ball. He is of -the team called the Kirby Koolers.”</p> -<p>“Well, thanks for your information, Tang. Guess -we’d better be going,” Mr. Brewster said.</p> -<p>“I’ll say hello to Uncle Charlie for you, Mr. -Ling,” Biff said.</p> -<p>“That will be most kind of you,” the Chinese replied.</p> -<p>Both bowed to Ling Tang, and he returned their -gesture with a deep bow of his own.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_18">18</div> -<p>Biff and his father were thoughtful as they walked -to their parked car. Something was building. No -doubt about that. But what? What was the answer to, -or the connection between, the spying stranger, the -ring, and Biff’s coming visit to his Uncle Charlie? -The answers to those questions were not to be found -that day.</p> -<p>At home, Mrs. Brewster’s first question was, “Biff, -who ruined the screen in your room?”</p> -<p>Biff looked helplessly at his father, who merely -shrugged his shoulders.</p> -<p>“A rock, Mother. This morning, early. Fooling -around....”</p> -<p>“I thought, young man, you were old enough to -know better than to toss rocks around carelessly.”</p> -<p>Biff heaved a sigh of relief. He was going to get out -of this easily. Neither he nor his father wanted to tell -Mrs. Brewster the real reason for the hole in the -screen. They didn’t want to worry her.</p> -<p>“Now,” Mrs. Brewster said briskly, “we’ve lots to -do today. We’ll have no time in the morning. We’ll -have to leave for the airport early. Now here’s what -I want you to do, Biff....”</p> -<p class="tb">On the morning of his departure, Biff again woke -early. He could hear noises throughout the house -and sniffed at the friendly smells of breakfast being -prepared. Everybody was up. They were all going -with him to the airport. Biff looked at his watch. It -was nearly seven by the time he was dressed. In one -hour and fifteen minutes he would be air-borne, on his -way to Chicago, the first leg in a journey that would -take him halfway around the world.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_19">19</div> -<p>Breakfast was a funny kind of a meal that morning—not -the food, but the way the whole family acted. -The twins, of course, kept up a steady, excited -chatter. Any trip to the airport made them bubble like -a bottle of pop. But Biff and his mother and father -either all tried to talk at the same time, or suddenly -remained silent at the same time.</p> -<p>“Biff gets all the breaks,” Ted complained. “Don’t -see why I can’t go, too.”</p> -<p>“Because you’re too young, that’s why,” retorted -his twin sister, Monica. “You’re just eleven.”</p> -<p>“You are, too,” the younger boy shot back. “Way -you act, anybody’d think you were older’n me.”</p> -<p>“Your time will come, Ted,” Mr. Brewster said, -acting as a peacemaker between his youngest children. -“When you’re five years older, like Biff, the world -will still be here. There’ll be plenty of chances for -you to spread your wings and fly.”</p> -<p>“Right,” said Ted emphatically. “And I’ll go by -rocket.”</p> -<p>“But what about me? I’m a girl,” Monica wailed.</p> -<p>“Yes, Tom. Answer that one,” Martha Brewster -said with a laugh. “Don’t worry, Monica,” she continued, -“we women will show these men a thing or -two.”</p> -<p>“Like what?” the girl said, pouting.</p> -<p>“Like how fast you can get ready. Right now. We -have to leave for the airport.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_20">20</div> -<p>As they drove into the busy terminal, Biff felt a -lump in the pit of his stomach. First signs of homesickness, -he thought. It had happened before. Biff always -felt homesick at these last moments. But once -he was under way, the feeling left him. Except sometimes -late at night, just before he fell asleep.</p> -<p>This time, though, it was different. This was the -first time Biff was going to be all on his own. Before, -his adventures had been shared with his father. True, -he’d be with his Uncle Charlie, but as nice a guy -as Uncle Charlie was, uncles weren’t the same as fathers.</p> -<p>Biff checked in and had his ticket cleared. At the -gate, he ruffled his brother’s hair, gave him a quick -hug, and turned to Monica. He lifted her off her feet -and planted a big “smack” on her plump cheek. Unashamedly, -he embraced his mother in front of the -crowded gate, then turned to his father.</p> -<p>The two shook hands, and Mr. Brewster placed a -hand on Biff’s shoulder.</p> -<p>“You have the ring in a safe place?” he asked softly.</p> -<p>Biff nodded his head and touched his side trouser -pocket. He had fastened the key chain to a longer, -stronger chain which was attached to his belt loop.</p> -<p>“I wouldn’t display it, Biff.”</p> -<p>Biff nodded. He felt tears coming to his eyes, but -he was through the gate and up the plane’s loading -platform before anyone could see them. Moments -later, the plane was taxiing out to the runway for -the take-off. Biff, looking through the window, could -see his family waving.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_21">21</div> -<p>After the plane’s four engines had been warmed up -and tested, the giant airliner lurched forward, and in -seconds was air-borne. First stop Chicago. Change to -a jetliner for San Francisco. Next stop Hawaii. Then -Tokyo, Hong Kong, and finally Rangoon.</p> -<p>Biff unfastened his seat belt when the lighted sign -snapped off, and looked about him. The plane was -only half filled. He glanced to the rear, and his heart -started pounding. Seated in the last seat on the plane’s -starboard side were two Chinese. They returned Biff’s -stare without expression. One of them, Biff noticed, -seemed to have but one good eye. The other eye -was nothing but a thin slit.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_22">22</div> -<h2 id="c4"><span class="small">CHAPTER IV</span> -<br />A Fortune Cooky</h2> -<p>Biff’s connections at Chicago with the jetliner for -San Francisco went without a hitch. In less than an -hour the sleek, silvery plane was in the air, circling -over the bustling city of Chicago. It pointed its slender -nose westward, and began a race with the sun to -the Pacific Ocean.</p> -<p>The liner seemed to hang motionless over the broad -plains of the West. Even the towering peaks of the -Rocky Mountains passed backward beneath the plane -slowly, as if the plane were barely moving, instead of -slicing through the air at nearly 700 miles per hour.</p> -<p>Once they were in the air, Biff, as casually as he -could, had let his eyes sweep the length of the plane, -trying to see if the two Chinese were still with -him. There were no Orientals on this flight.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_23">23</div> -<p>By early afternoon the plane had left the mountains -behind it and was starting its long glide to lose altitude -as it neared San Francisco. Far ahead, Biff could see -the blue waters of the Pacific, sparkling under the rays -of the sun, now standing high in the sky. Before he -realized it, the plane was circling over San Francisco -Bay. Biff saw the beautiful Golden Gate Bridge, arching -gracefully over the harbor.</p> -<p>After a two-hour layover, during which time Biff’s -papers and baggage were cleared by customs, the boy -boarded the plane which was to take him to his final -destination, Burma.</p> -<p>The sun had a good lead on the plane by the time -the huge airliner took off. It would soon disappear -over the horizon, and darkness would greet the touch-down -in Honolulu.</p> -<p>Once the plane was over the water, Biff turned in -his seat for a final glance at his homeland. He could -just see the hills of San Francisco, fading rapidly behind -him. As he turned more toward the front, his -eye was caught by two Chinese passengers.</p> -<p>Biff looked at them closely. They were dressed in -long, flowing robes. The robes were brightly colored -in greens and reds and were gold-trimmed. Their -wearers had tight skull caps worn low on their foreheads, -and each wore heavy, dark sun glasses. Could -they be the same two who had been on the plane with -him from Indianapolis to Chicago? For a closer look, -Biff walked to the rear of the plane for a drink of -water. He stood just in back of the pair and inspected -the men closely. They could be the same men, he -decided. But he couldn’t be sure. It was difficult for -him to tell one Chinese from another. And the change, -if these were the same two, from American clothes to -Oriental, made such a difference that it was impossible -for Biff to be certain.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_24">24</div> -<p>Biff decided on a bold move. He stopped at the seat -where the two Orientals sat impassively, staring -straight ahead.</p> -<p>“I’m going to Rangoon,” he said, a friendly smile -breaking out on his face. “To a place very near the -Chinese border. Are you going to Rangoon, or Hong -Kong?”</p> -<p>There was no answer.</p> -<p>“Don’t you speak English?” Biff asked.</p> -<p>“I’m afraid they don’t,” a voice said behind him.</p> -<p>Biff whirled. It was the stewardess. “Can I help -you?” she asked.</p> -<p>“No,” Biff said lamely. “I was just—er—just going -to get a glass of water.”</p> -<p>The stewardess moved on. Biff downed the glass -of water which he didn’t need and started back to his -seat. As he came to the side where the Chinese were -sitting, he decided to try a little trick.</p> -<p>He bent toward the floor of the plane.</p> -<p>“Is that your glasses case on the floor?” he asked.</p> -<p>The Chinese in the outside seat bent forward. His -hand reached down, feeling by his feet. Then, quickly -realizing he had given himself away, he sat up straight, -and stared ahead.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_25">25</div> -<p>A big smile of satisfaction decorated Biff’s face as -he settled himself in his seat. He knew one thing about -them at least. They understood English—but good! -And they could have taken another airline from Chicago -to San Francisco.</p> -<p>Biff’s swift flight was without further incident as -the plane sped across the Pacific. Then he was on the -last leg—the flight from Hong Kong to Rangoon.</p> -<p>It was the middle of the afternoon, an hour after -the take-off from Hong Kong. Rangoon was still -nearly three hours away. The stewardesses were serving -tea. With it they served almond cookies and, as a -favor from the air lines, each passenger received a fortune -cooky, a small delicate piece of folded, crisply -cooked dough. Inside each fortune cooky was a narrow -ribbon of paper on which was printed a short -saying—usually humorous. Biff remembered them -from the Chinese restaurant he went to with the family -every so often back in Indianapolis.</p> -<p>He smiled as he remembered one he had once gotten. -It had read: “Man who count chickens before -they hatch is egghead.”</p> -<p>Biff finished his tea. He reached for the fortune -cooky. Just as he did so, someone lurched against his -shoulder, upsetting the tray. Cup, saucer, and fortune -cooky fell to the floor. Both Biff and the awkward -passenger reached to pick up the scrambled tray. -Biff’s eyes met his helper’s—it was one of the two -Chinese! There was no reason for him to have stumbled. -The plane was flying smoothly. It appeared to -Biff that the shoulder bumping had been intentional.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_26">26</div> -<p>“So sorry,” the Chinese said. His dark glasses -glinted as he straightened up. “Too bad. Fortune -cooky smashed to bits. But slip of paper still okay.”</p> -<p>Smiling briefly, he handed Biff the slender slip of -tissue paper, and made his way hurriedly forward.</p> -<p>Biff watched him go, still puzzled by the man’s action. -The boy smoothed out the slip. It had only a -Chinese character scrawled on it. Through the Chinese -printing had been drawn a red “X.” “Now what -the dickens is this?” Biff thought. He started to crumple -the paper, but something about it held his attention. -There was something familiar about it. Then he -had it. Carefully, he took out his key chain. He bent -low, and compared the character on the cooky slip -with that on the surface of the ring’s green stone. -They were identical—the letter “K!”—the seal of the -lords of the House of Kwang.</p> -<p>Was this a warning of some kind? Did the red “X” -cancel out the protection and good fortune the ring -was supposed to insure? But why? Why? Biff’s brain -kept signaling that one word with its question mark.</p> -<p>The plane climbed over the coastal mountains of -Viet Nam, dropped down to skim over the rice fields -of Thailand, then swung out over the Bay of Bengal -for its approach to Rangoon.</p> -<p>As the plane banked, Biff could see the many -mouths of the Irrawaddy River, spread out like long -fingers from the broad, brown arm of the river itself.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_27">27</div> -<p>The plane came low over the bay on its approach -to the city, and Biff could see the colorful sails of the -<i>dhows</i>, the native craft which dotted the harbor. Some -of the sails were bright red, some dirty brown. Many -wore patches of every color of the rainbow.</p> -<p>The plane followed the course of the Hlaing River, -twenty-one miles inland to the city of Rangoon. -Standing out against the low, white buildings, Biff -saw the pagoda of Shwe Dagon, rising nearly 400 feet -skyward. It was entirely covered with gold leaf which -glistened in the setting sun. Then he remembered. -Ling Tang had told him this was the important shrine -of Buddha where the head of the House of Kwang -used to worship.</p> -<p>Biff stretched and twisted. In spite of the cooky accident -and the red “X,” he smiled. “Almost there, at -last,” he said to the passing stewardess.</p> -<p>The long trip had been pleasant enough, but being -confined to a plane for three days and three nights -had become monotonous. Just as soon as he could, Biff -bounded down the ramp from the airliner and ran -eagerly to the entrance of the airport terminal.</p> -<p>Through the portal into the terminal, Biff was -caught up in a swirling mass of figures. Fat merchants, -skinny students, long-robed mandarins, ragged -beggars, and men in the uniforms of all the -world’s military forces milled about the huge room. -Biff searched the crowds, trying to spot his Uncle -Charlie. He was nowhere to be seen.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_28">28</div> -<p>Worried minutes followed. Then Biff saw a tall, -very thin Oriental, wearing a long, straight white -robe approach. The man came up to Biff. With hands -clasped to his chest, he bowed low.</p> -<p>“Sahib Brewster?” he asked.</p> -<p>“I’m Biff Brewster,” the boy answered, thinking, -“Gee, I’m a sahib!”</p> -<p>“I come from Sahib Charles Keene. He had planned -to meet you. However, an emergency arose, and he -had to fly to the north. But he should be back at Unhao -by the time we get there.”</p> -<p>“Oh.” Biff was slightly shaken by this unexpected -turn of events. “And how do we get there, then?”</p> -<p>“It is all arranged. Another pilot was dispatched to -pick you up when your uncle was unable to come -himself. Come. If you will follow me, even now the -plane is ready.” The Oriental turned, and a path in -the human mass seemed to open for him.</p> -<p>Biff followed, still not sure of this man.</p> -<p>“Hey,” he called. “Wait a minute!”</p> -<p>The Oriental paused and turned to the boy.</p> -<p>“I’d like to know your name,” Biff said. “I don’t -like calling people just ‘hey.’”</p> -<p>The Oriental’s puzzled expression changed to a -slight smile as understanding of Biff’s “hey” came to -him. “I am called Nam Palung, head of the servants in -your uncle’s house.”</p> -<p>“Okay, Nam. But what about getting through customs?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_29">29</div> -<p>“That is all arranged. Your uncle is a man of -much importance and influence. Come. We must -hurry before darkness spreads its mantle upon the -land.”</p> -<p>Biff didn’t like being rushed like this. “Yeah, but -what about my luggage—my suitcase and trunk?”</p> -<p>“Even now they precede us to the plane. All is -cared for.”</p> -<p>The whole business seemed a bit cockeyed to Biff, -but then, shrugging his shoulders, he followed Nam to -the northern exit of the terminal.</p> -<p>Nam walked quickly, his fast, short steps limited -by the skirt of his robe. Even so, Biff had to step up -his pace to stay with the man.</p> -<p>Suspicion again came to Biff as they left the terminal -building and appeared to be taking a direction -away from the airport.</p> -<p>“Look, Nam. Just where are we going? The airstrips -are back that way.”</p> -<p>“Those, Sahib Brewster,” Nam replied, “are for the -commercial airlines planes. Private planes, such as -those used by Explorations Unlimited, use a different -part of the field.”</p> -<p>Biff’s suspicions dropped a degree. Nam’s explanation -made sense. His suspicions dropped still further -when Nam reached a jeep, and with a low bow, indicated -that Biff was to get in.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_30">30</div> -<p>An American jeep, Biff thought. They’re found -everywhere. The small vehicle represented home and -safety to Biff. He hopped aboard, and Nam took his -place behind the wheel. Biff looked across the airport -where a mile away, several small planes were clustered. -He figured that was where they were heading. -He heard a rustling behind him and turned abruptly. -In the jeep’s rear seat now sat, as if they had appeared -out of thin air, two more Orientals. Both were -dressed like Nam. But, as Biff looked at them more -closely, he noticed that each man’s hand was partly -thrust into a fold of his robe, and each hand clasped -the hilt of a slender dagger. Biff turned to Nam, -alarmed.</p> -<p>“Who are those men—with knives—” His voice -shook in spite of his attempt to control it.</p> -<p>Nam interrupted. His manner was no longer courteous, -his voice no longer smooth. His reply was -stem and harsh.</p> -<p>“You will remain silent. Any outcry, any attempt -to escape, and my men have been told to use those -knives.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_31">31</div> -<h2 id="c5"><span class="small">CHAPTER V</span> -<br />Jack Hudson</h2> -<p>Nam Palung meant business. There was no question -about that. But Biff had no intention of yielding -without a struggle. He would make his escape if at all -possible. Right now, though, as his mind whirled trying -to think his way out of this predicament, it would -be best to do exactly as he had been told.</p> -<p>Biff promised himself one thing. Once he was free -of Nam Palung he, Biff Brewster, was going to give -himself, Biff Brewster, one swift kick. He had been -played for a sucker, a trusting, easy-to-take American, -and he had filled the role perfectly. How, he now -thought, could he have been so taken in?</p> -<p>The jeep rolled across the field. Biff shot a sidelong -glance at Nam Palung. The jeep moved at a steady -pace, not fast enough to attract attention. It was -headed toward a gate in the high wire fence surrounding -the airfield through which service trucks -passed. He noticed that the gate was blocked by an -iron bar, raised to allow a vehicle to pass underneath -it. When raised, the bar on its upright poles looked -like a football goal post.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_32">32</div> -<p>As the jeep drew near and fell in line behind a truck -and a small car, Biff noticed the bar was raised just -sufficiently to allow about a foot’s clearance for the -vehicle passing beneath. An idea came into Biff’s -head. He turned to look over his shoulder at his knife-bearing -guards.</p> -<p>“Keep your head straight forward,” Nam ordered. -“And no tricks as we pass the gateman.”</p> -<p>Biff watched the truck ahead pass through. It -slowed down without stopping as it passed under the -raised bar. The bar was lowered to stop position after -the truck’s tail-gate went through. Next came the -smaller car, its roof much lower than the truck’s. -Again the bar was raised, but this time, just high -enough to accommodate the car, leaving about two -feet between it and the car’s top.</p> -<p>Now the jeep approached the bar barricade. The -bar began rising slowly. Biff watched it, his heart in -his mouth. “Don’t let them raise it too high,” he -prayed. Biff leaned slightly forward, placing his -weight on his firmly planted feet. He tensed his leg -and thigh muscles until they felt like tightly coiled -steel springs.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_33">33</div> -<p>The bar was about three feet higher than tall Nam’s -head. Biff waited until the front of the jeep was directly -under the bar. Then he leaped up as if he’d -been blasted off a launching pad. His hands seized the -bar. Like a trapeze artist, he swung his body forward -in a giant arc. At the top of his swing, when his body -was parallel to the ground, Biff twisted his head, looking -over his shoulder as his body started a swift downward -stroke. At the split second, he lashed out with -his feet. One foot struck the left knife-wielder square -on the side of his head. The man shot over the side of -the jeep as if jerked by the hand of a giant.</p> -<p>Biff’s other foot struck the second knife-wielder -full in his chest, toppling him out the back of the -jeep.</p> -<p>Now Biff was propelling himself into the backward -arc of his swing. Again his body came swiftly downward. -He lashed at Nam, planting both his feet solidly -in the Oriental’s shoulders. Nam shot forward, his -head striking the windshield.</p> -<p>Biff swung his body sideways, and dropped to the -ground. He ran back toward the terminal building, -nearly half a mile away. After a hundred yards, he -slowed to catch his breath. Turning, he looked back -at the jeep. There was no need to run. Nam still lay -sprawled over the steering wheel. One of the knife-bearers -was out of sight, apparently still sprawled on -the ground on the other side of the jeep. The other -guard was just rising from behind the jeep. Biff saw -him stagger, still not fully recovered.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_34">34</div> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/p02.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="691" /> -<p class="caption"><i>He ran back toward the terminal building</i></p> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_35">35</div> -<p>There would be no more trouble with those three, -Biff said to himself. Not right away, at any rate. The -boy continued toward the terminal building at a rapid -walk. He didn’t run, no need to, and if he did, he -might attract attention. He might be stopped. Explanations -would be demanded. The gate-keeper -might come up and describe what had happened.</p> -<p>Biff needed time to think. What was his next move?</p> -<p>“Guess I’ll have to play it by ear,” he told himself, -and what, he wondered, had happened to Uncle Charlie? -Had he been waylaid by those same three?</p> -<p>Inside the teeming terminal building, Biff mingled -with the constantly moving crowds. He hoped he -wouldn’t be noticeable, but there was little chance -of that. In his American clothes, gray slacks and open-necked -shirt, he was as noticeable as an Oriental -dressed in mandarin clothes would have been at the -Indianapolis airport.</p> -<p>There was only one thing to do, Biff decided. Go -to the airline check-in counter and see if any message -had been left him by his uncle. The boy approached -the counter cautiously. He wanted to look around -before identifying himself.</p> -<p>Biff sidled up to the counter. A tall, handsome man, -about thirty years old, was leaning over the counter, -questioning the clerk intensely. He was wearing white -drill trousers and a white shirt open at the collar. A -well-shaped, close-cropped head topped a strong neck -and broad shoulders. He spoke to the clerk in a voice -filled with authority. Unless he was badly fooled -again, Biff felt sure that this man was an American, -and there was something about him that the boy liked -immediately.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_36">36</div> -<p>“Hold it,” Biff told himself. “Let’s not jump too -fast this time.”</p> -<p>Standing behind the man, Biff saw him take out a -worn wallet from his hip pocket.</p> -<p>“Now you listen to me. I’m Jack Hudson. I’m a -pilot for Explorations Unlimited. Here, take a look -at my papers. I’m here to meet a boy named Biff -Brewster, and I want to know where he is. Right -now!”</p> -<p>The clerk leaned on the counter. He carefully inspected -the list of names on the paper in front of him.</p> -<p>“So sorry. No name like one you say on this list.”</p> -<p>“Is that your passenger manifest list?” the man, -Jack Hudson, demanded.</p> -<p>The clerk nodded his head.</p> -<p>Without asking, without waiting, Hudson snatched -the list from the man’s hand.</p> -<p>“Here. You can’t do that!”</p> -<p>Hudson ignored the clerk. His eye ran down the -list quickly.</p> -<p>“And just what do you think this name is?” Hudson -held his index finger beside one of the names.</p> -<p>“Oh, so sorry. I guess I no understand your talk.”</p> -<p>“Fat chance,” Hudson said angrily. “Now you just -tell me where that boy is.”</p> -<p>Biff had made up his mind. He couldn’t be mistaken -in this man of action.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_37">37</div> -<p>“I think you’re looking for me, sir,” Biff said and -placed his hand on Jack Hudson’s arm.</p> -<p>Hudson swung around. He looked Biff up and -down, slowly, carefully, sizing him up, before answering.</p> -<p>“If I weren’t so glad to see you, I’d ask where the -devil you’ve been.” Then, seeing Biff’s face fall, Hudson -smiled, a warm, immediately friendly smile. “But -the important thing is I’ve found you.”</p> -<p>“I guess it is mostly my fault that you’ve had trouble -meeting me,” Biff confessed. “I had a little mixup -with—” He cut his sentence short. Perhaps he had -better wait until he got to know Jack Hudson better -before revealing all the mysterious happenings that -had taken place from that early hour in the morning -four days ago, back in Indianapolis.</p> -<p>“Well, part of it’s my fault, too,” Jack said. “Or the -weather’s. Coming in from Unhao, I ran into a terrific -headwind. Should have allowed for it. These -winds spring up all the time in these parts. I was late. -But come on now, we’ve got to clear you with customs -and get your gear.”</p> -<p>Jack Hudson, with a forcefulness sharp enough to -cut any red tape, literally bulldozed Biff through a -maze of inspections, checks, and rechecks.</p> -<p>“I’m slipping,” he grinned at Biff when the boy had -been cleared. “Took me thirty-one minutes. My record’s -twenty-nine. Come on. We’ve got to make with -the plane back to Unhao. Fast. Lots to be done.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_38">38</div> -<p>“That sure suits me. I’m anxious to see my uncle.”</p> -<p>“Hope he’s there when we get back.” A frown -creased Jack’s face as he spoke.</p> -<p>“He will be, won’t he? That’s what I was told, -that the emergency came up quickly and—” Biff -ended his sentence feeling foolish. He suddenly remembered -who had told him the story.</p> -<p>“Emergency? I don’t know of any emergency. -Your uncle wasn’t even in Unhao today. It was arranged -for me to pick you up before he left.”</p> -<p>“Before he left? What do you mean?” Biff was getting -puzzled.</p> -<p>“Your uncle flew out of Unhao over a week ago.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_39">39</div> -<h2 id="c6"><span class="small">CHAPTER VI</span> -<br />Interrupted Message</h2> -<p>Darkness had spread over the airfield by the time -Biff and Jack Hudson reached the “Explorations” -plane. It was a twin-engine Cessna, a five-passenger, -capable of a speed of 250 miles per hour.</p> -<p>“Hop in, Biff,” Jack said. “Be my co-pilot.”</p> -<p>Jack stowed Biff’s gear, and took his place in the -pilot’s seat. As quick to action as Hudson was, he was -also a sober, careful pilot. He warmed up the plane’s -motors. He tested the wing flaps. He made a thorough -instrument check. Then he called the tower for -take-off instructions.</p> -<p>The plane moved to its assigned runway. Once -more Jack revved up his engines. Then, the brakes -released, the plane started rolling down the runway. -Once it was air-borne, Jack put the plane in a steep -climb, made a wide circle over the city of Rangoon, -then headed north, following the Irrawaddy River.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_40">40</div> -<p>“How long before we get there?” Biff asked.</p> -<p>“About four hours. If we don’t hit any weather. -Unhao’s about fifty miles north of Myitkyina. ’Bout -eleven hundred miles from here.”</p> -<p>“How big’s Unhao. Is it much of a place?” Biff -asked.</p> -<p>Jack grinned. “Take a look back at Rangoon. -That’s the last civilization you’re going to see for a -while.”</p> -<p>The plane sped through the night. As the moon -rose out of the South China Sea, its light turned the -Irrawaddy River, thousands of feet below, into a -slender silvery ribbon, reflecting the moon’s rays like -a long sliver of mirror.</p> -<p>Jack Hudson put the plane on automatic pilot. He -reached behind him and brought out two boxes. He -handed one to Biff.</p> -<p>“Hungry?”</p> -<p>Biff hadn’t thought about eating. But now, he realized -he was ravenous. “I’ll say I am. Thanks a lot.” -He practically tore open the box and chomped on the -sandwiches with an appetite that made Jack wonder -when the boy had last eaten.</p> -<p>Just before midnight, Hudson switched on the -plane’s radio transmitter and called the landing strip -at Unhao.</p> -<p>“Keep your eyes dead ahead for the next few minutes,” -he told Biff. “I always get a thrill out of it.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_41">41</div> -<p>Biff did as he was told. He peered intently through -the windshield into the night. Clouds had obscured -the moon, and all was darkness. Not a light could be -seen anywhere.</p> -<p>Suddenly, as if by magic, the letter “X” blazed out -of the jungle, twenty miles ahead. It was so startling -that Biff gasped in amazement.</p> -<p>“Our landing field. I told them we’d be in in about -ten minutes and to turn on the lights. We have two -runways. One from southwest to northeast. The -other from southeast to northwest. They bisect in the -center, forming a perfect ‘X.’ I think it’s a wonderful -sight.”</p> -<p>“It sure is,” Biff replied.</p> -<p>For the next few minutes, Jack’s entire attention -was devoted to the landing. The plane swooped out -of the dark, flashed over the landing field, circled and -entered its final glide path. Biff felt the lurch which -told him they had touched down. Jack taxied the -plane toward the hangars.</p> -<p>“Well, here we are,” he said to Biff. “Welcome to -Unhao.”</p> -<p>Despite the excitement of landing in this strange -isolated spot in Upper Burma, Biff couldn’t hold back -a yawn. He was just plain, dog-tired. It had been -four nights since he had slept in a bed. Oh, he had -slept. But sleeping in a sitting position, he told himself, -would never replace the good, old stretch-out -type of snooze.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_42">42</div> -<p>Native servants swarmed around the plane. Biff -and his gear were deposited in a jeep standing by. -Jack hopped behind the wheel. The jeep, with natives -clinging to every possible foot and hand-hold, headed -through the night toward Headquarters House, a -quarter of a mile away.</p> -<p>Headquarters House was a combination office, -communications center, and living quarters for the -staff of Explorations Unlimited. Sleeping rooms, resembling -those of Bachelor Officers’ Quarters on an -army post, filled one ell of the building. Into one of -these went Biff. Moments after his head hit the pillow, -he was in a deep sleep, in spite of the murky heat that -was unrelieved by the lateness of the night.</p> -<p>Around five o’clock in the morning, as dawn was -transforming the night-blackened jungle into a greenish -maze, Biff was awakened by the sound of running -feet passing his door. These were followed by -others. The whole building seemed to spring to life. -Something was up.</p> -<p>Biff jumped out of bed. First he went to the window. -Looking out, he saw a tremendous animal -faintly outlined in the morning mists not more than -thirty feet away. Just as he was about to call out, he -saw the floppy ears and the swaying trunk of the -animal raise toward the sky, and let go with a trumpeting -that rattled the windows. Biff had to smile at -himself. What was an elephant doing wandering -around loose at that time of the morning? “Some -difference from home,” he thought.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_43">43</div> -<p>Biff dressed quickly. He hurried down the hallway -toward the center of Headquarters House. Sounds of -activity came from the communications center. He -paused in the doorway. Jack Hudson and two other -men were bunched together around a short-wave receiver. -Static crackled throughout the room. One of -the men picked up a hand microphone.</p> -<p>“This is H H One, calling. This is Happy Harry -One calling X 0369. Come in X 0369. Repeat: Come -in X 0369. We were beginning to read you. Acknowledge. -Do you read us?”</p> -<p>His answer was a roar of static.</p> -<p>Jack Hudson shook his head. His concern and the -intense looks on the faces of the other men told Biff -they were troubled.</p> -<p>“Was it Keene, Mike?” Jack demanded. “Was it -Charlie?”</p> -<p>Biff heard Jack’s question, and he felt a sudden -pang of fear.</p> -<p>The radio operator, Mike Dawson, shook his head. -“I can’t say for sure. I think it must have been. But -the voice was so faint. And the static—”</p> -<p>“Could you make out anything? Any of the -words?” Jack’s voice was insistent.</p> -<p>Mike shook his head worriedly. “The sender didn’t -identify. I did think I caught some of the words, but -I can’t say for sure—”</p> -<p>“Well, what were they, man? What were they?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_44">44</div> -<p>“I—I thought he said, ‘They’re coming for me.... -My position is lati—’ And right then transmission -broke off completely. That’s when I buzzed your -rooms. I’ve been working this mike ever since. And -getting nothing. But nothing.”</p> -<p>Biff stepped into the room. He crossed to the three -men.</p> -<p>“Was that my uncle you were talking about?”</p> -<p>Mike and the other man looked at Jack Hudson. It -was obvious that they wouldn’t speak unless he gave -them the go-ahead. Jack looked at Biff. He didn’t -reply at once. Then, having reached his decision, he -answered.</p> -<p>“Yes, Biff. I’m afraid it was.”</p> -<p>“<i>Afraid?</i>” Biff felt a tingle of fear race up his spine. -“What do you mean? Is my uncle in danger?”</p> -<p>Jack Hudson’s shoulders sagged. He shook his head -as if trying to rid himself of unpleasant thoughts. -“Come along, Biff. I’ll tell you about it over some -coffee.” At the door, he turned back. “Keep trying, -Mike. You might raise him. And if you do—”</p> -<p>“I’ll buzz you fast.”</p> -<p>In the mess hall, the servants had already set the -breakfast table. Two of them padded about the room -silently on their bare feet. Biff sat down to a plate -containing an oval-shaped, reddish fruit, streaked with -white.</p> -<p>“It’s the fruit of the durian tree. Try it. We think -it’s delicious. If you don’t like it, though, there’s fresh -pineapple or guava.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_45">45</div> -<p>The taste was like nothing Biff had ever eaten before. -He didn’t know whether he liked it or not. And -he didn’t care. There were more important things -than breakfast fruit right now.</p> -<p>“Tell me about Uncle Charlie.”</p> -<p>Jack sipped some coffee. “I’ll tell you what I can, -Biff. It won’t be much. I don’t know it all myself. I -know where he went, and I think I know why. The -why is what I can’t tell you.”</p> -<p>“Was there danger in this trip of Uncle Charlie’s?”</p> -<p>“Danger? Perhaps. Always dangerous crossing the -border. But Charlie should have been able to handle -it.”</p> -<p>Biff felt his heart pound.</p> -<p>“Your uncle left here exactly eight days ago. He -left early in the morning. He needed the cover of -night to fly across the border.”</p> -<p>“The border? What border?” Biff asked.</p> -<p>“The border into Red China. That border’s closed, -you know, especially to Americans.”</p> -<p>Jack paused to light a cigarette.</p> -<p>“He took off in a light, four-place plane. It’s the -type plane that Charlie could land or take off in on a -dime. It carried extra fuel tanks.”</p> -<p>“How long did he expect to be gone?”</p> -<p>“He didn’t know for certain. Not more than four -or five days, he said.”</p> -<p>Four or five days, Biff thought. And eight days had -passed.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_46">46</div> -<p>“We’ve been expecting him, Watching for him. I’ve -flown from dawn to daylight myself the last three -days, hoping to spot him or his plane, if he was forced -down. Nothing. He didn’t break radio silence once -from the time he left.”</p> -<p>“Until this morning,” Biff cut in.</p> -<p>“Yes. Until this morning. If that was Charlie.”</p> -<p>“Have you any idea where he was going in China?” -Jack shook his head. “Not exactly. With the extra -tanks, he had fuel for about twelve hundred miles. So, -since he had to return, he must have expected to find -what he was looking for not more than five hundred -miles inside China.”</p> -<p>“And you can’t tell me your ideas of what his -search was for?”</p> -<p>Jack hesitated. “All I could tell you would be the -results of my own speculations. Your uncle was at -Cape Canaveral, as you know, and he must know a -lot about guided missiles. He was one of the Navy’s -top young officers. Well—put your thinking cap on. -Maybe between us we can come up with something.”</p> -<p>Biff thought hard. There were many parts to this -puzzle. He thought he himself was probably one of -them. But fitting them together into an answer—that -would take more than minutes, hours, or even days to -do. Too many important parts of the puzzle were still -missing. Biff thought that perhaps now he should fill -Jack in on his own small mystery. His hand went to -his key chain and touched the jade ring. He made a -decision. He wouldn’t mention the ring. He would -only tell Jack about what had happened when he arrived -at the Rangoon airport.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_47">47</div> -<p>Quickly he told Jack the story. As he poured it -out rapidly, Jack’s look of worried concern deepened.</p> -<p>“There must be some connection. Charlie disappears, -and you’re almost kidnaped. Describe the man -again.”</p> -<p>Biff sketched the three men in as best he could. “I -only saw the one called Nam Pulang closely. He said -he was the Number One man here at Explorations.”</p> -<p>“Never heard of him. Was he Chinese, or Burmese?”</p> -<p>“I’d say Chinese,” Biff answered. “Although I don’t -really know how Burmese look.”</p> -<p>Jack was thoughtful.</p> -<p>“But Jack,” Biff said, “we’re not just going to sit -here, are we? Can’t we do something? Can’t we go -into China and find Uncle Charlie?”</p> -<p>“Go into China? Impossible. You get any such idea -out of your head.”</p> -<p>That idea, though, was very much in Biff’s head. -The idea had been growing from the moment he first -heard of his uncle’s disappearance.</p> -<p>“I mean that,” Jack said. “You have no idea of the -difficulty in crossing the border. It’s patroled night -and day. And the border guards shoot to kill.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_48">48</div> -<p>Man and boy sat in silence, both deep in thought. -The silence was suddenly broken. A native boy about -Biff’s age, but smaller, came running into the room.</p> -<p>“Sahib Jack! Come on run! Come on run! Quick! -Quick!” He ran out of the room.</p> -<p>Biff and Jack were at his heels.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_49">49</div> -<h2 id="c7"><span class="small">CHAPTER VII</span> -<br />A “Spirited” Box</h2> -<p>The native boy raced across the open compound toward -the group of low buildings where the servants -slept. Jack and Biff ran side by side, ten feet behind -the boy.</p> -<p>“What is it, Chuba? What is it?” Jack called. But -the boy didn’t answer until he reached the door of -one of the small white cabins. There he stopped, -gasping for breath, and turned to Jack and Biff. His -face was contorted with fear; his eyes were opened -wide and filled with terror.</p> -<p>“Now get hold of yourself, Chuba. Steady. We’re -right here. What’s inside your cabin that’s so frightening?”</p> -<p>Chuba’s voice trembled as he spoke. “The evil ones. -They come. They come to punish Chuba and the -father of Chuba.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_50">50</div> -<p>“The evil ones? What are you talking about?” -Jack’s voice was firm, but his tone was kind. He had -to quiet this boy’s fears.</p> -<p>“It has been spoken,” Chuba said, his voice trembling. -“Many, many years ago, the gods spoke to the -ancestors of my father. They said”—and here the -boy’s voice almost broke—“they said that evil will -befall any member of the House of Chin Fu who -leaves his land to become a slave of the white man.”</p> -<p>Biff watched the boy. He felt sympathy toward -him, yet it was hard for Biff to believe that such superstitious -beliefs could still cast their spell in these -modern days.</p> -<p>“That’s nonsense, Chuba. You and your father are -not slaves. You are honorable workers. Without your -help, we could not live here. You are well paid, and -you hold positions of responsibility and dignity. -Enough of this. Just what is inside your cabin?”</p> -<p>“Chuba not know. But is bad. Very bad. It is voices -of the evil ones, casting spell on Chuba and his honorable -father.”</p> -<p>“All right. Come on and show us what it is.”</p> -<p>“Please, Sahib Jack. You to go first.”</p> -<p>“Okay. Come on, Biff.”</p> -<p>Jack and Biff entered the one-room cabin. It was -small, but comfortably furnished. Beds stood against -the walls on either side of the room. At the rear there -was a small, compact kitchen. Biff and Jack inspected -the room quickly. They saw nothing unusual.</p> -<p>Chuba stood behind them, standing on tiptoes.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_51">51</div> -<p>“There!” he said. “Watch, and you shall hear evil -spirits.” He pointed to a small box on the floor by -one of the beds.</p> -<p>As they watched, a low growl came from the box. -The growl grew louder. It became a wail. Then it -turned into the high, piercing scream of a siren. It -held this chilling, blood-curdling pitch for about ten -seconds. Then the lid of the box slowly raised. A -yellowish hand emerged. It bent over the front of the -box. One finger touched a small button. The high -scream dropped down to a wail, then to a growl, then -stopped. The hand withdrew into the box. The lid -closed. All was silent again.</p> -<p>Biff put a restraining hand on Chuba, keeping the -boy from fleeing in terror. On Biff’s face a slow grin -was spreading. He wanted to laugh, but one glance at -Chuba’s stricken face stopped him. This was a serious -thing to Chuba. Chuba would feel Biff was laughing -at him, insulting him.</p> -<p>Jack stared at the box in amazement. “Now just -what on earth is that thing?” He scratched his head. -Biff started across the room toward the box.</p> -<p>“Hold it, Biff. We don’t know what that gadget -might be. Might be a bomb.”</p> -<p>Now Biff did laugh. Even Jack was concerned. -Not terror-stricken like Chuba, but the weird performance -of the box had undoubtedly alarmed Jack.</p> -<p>Biff reached for the box, bent over, and picked it -up. Chuba cowered behind Jack. But the native boy’s -curiosity got the better of him. He watched Biff’s -every move, his eyes wide.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_52">52</div> -<p>“It’s only a toy, Jack,” Biff said. “My kid brother -got one last Christmas. It was the newest thing out. -Caused a sensation.”</p> -<p>“Let me take a look at it,” Jack said, and Biff -handed it to him.</p> -<p>A great feeling of relief had come over Biff. When -Chuba had come rushing in, crying out in a voice -filled with fright, Biff had figured that another in the -series of strange happenings had taken place. To discover -that all the excitement was only about a toy -relaxed Biff completely for the first time since he had -arrived in the Orient.</p> -<p>Jack inspected the toy somewhat gingerly. “How -does it work?”</p> -<p>Biff took the box back. “Look. I’ll show you.” He -raised the lid of the box, and as he did so, Chuba took -a step back. He was taking no chances with evil -spirits even if the Americans did. Jack’s and Biff’s -heads were together inspecting the box. This was too -much for Chuba. He had to see, too. He cautiously -poked his head forward for a closer look.</p> -<p>“See this small siren? That’s where the noises come -from. The toy has two small batteries, like the ones -used in a transistor radio. They power this small -motor, and it does the rest. Raises the lid and makes -this hand snake out.”</p> -<p>Biff looked at Chuba and smiled. A shy, friendly -grin lit up the native boy’s face. “Want to see it work -with the lid open?”</p> -<p>Chuba nodded his head rapidly.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_53">53</div> -<p>Biff set the toy in motion. The siren reached its -high pitch. The hand, attached to the end of a small -iron rod, snaked out, flopped over the front side of -the box, and touched the cut-off button.</p> -<p>“That’s all there is to it. Some gadget, isn’t it?”</p> -<p>Jack laughed. “I can see how it must have been the -toy sensation of last Christmas. I can also see why it -scared the daylights out of Chuba. It would scare me, -too, if it woke me from a sound sleep.”</p> -<p>“That’s what happen, Sahib Jack. I sleep deep. -This thing start screaming. Chuba jump, run fast, -plenty scared, for help.”</p> -<p>“I suppose once it’s turned on, it keeps operating -until the batteries run out.”</p> -<p>“That’s right,” Biff said. “Its action is set so it goes -off once about every three minutes. You turn it off -here.” Biff pointed to a switch on the bottom of the -box.</p> -<p>“But how it get in my father’s house this morning?” -Chuba demanded.</p> -<p>“I can answer that one.” Jack’s shoulders started -shaking with laughter. Biff started laughing, too, -partly from relief, and partly because when Jack -laughed everyone joined in. Chuba, his eyes darting -from Jack to Biff, decided his worries had passed. He -giggled shyly at first, then added his high laugh to the -chorus. The little white cabin shook with their hilarity.</p> -<p>“The ‘evil’ one, Chuba,” Jack said, “is a certain red-headed -maintenance mechanic called Muscles.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_54">54</div> -<p>“Muscles! Him play another joke on Chuba. He -much cool fellow. Him way in.”</p> -<p>“What’s this?” Biff thought. “Jive talk from a native -boy? This kid’s all right.”</p> -<p>“You mean this Muscles is real cool; he’s way out, -don’t you, Chuba?” Biff asked.</p> -<p>“That’s what Chuba say. He here, man, here.”</p> -<p>Biff slapped his thighs and doubled up again with -glee. Chuba’s mixed-up talk was so far “gone,” it had -come back to “here.”</p> -<p>“How old are you, Chuba?” Jack asked.</p> -<p>Chuba drew himself fully erect. He puffed out his -chest. “Chuba soon be sixteen.”</p> -<p>“Aren’t you about the same, Biff?” Biff nodded his -head. “Chuba, shake hands with Biff Brewster. Biff’s -Sahib Charlie’s nephew.”</p> -<p>The boys shook hands. There was no doubt but -that they took to one another right off.</p> -<p>“Chuba, you show Biff around. I’ve got to get back -and see if Mike’s been able to—”</p> -<p>“I get it, Jack,” Biff said.</p> -<p>The two boys watched Jack stride back to Headquarters -House.</p> -<p>“Come, Sahib Biff, I show you many things.”</p> -<p>Biff didn’t reply at once. A plan was beginning to -shape up in his head. It would work, too, with the -help of Chuba.</p> -<p>“Okay, Chuba. But first off—cut out that sahib -stuff. To you, I’m just plain Biff.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_55">55</div> -<h2 id="c8"><span class="small">CHAPTER VIII</span> -<br />Still Missing</h2> -<p>The friendship between Biff and Chuba developed -rapidly. Chuba was an odd boy, with his mixed-up -jive talk, his quick Oriental mind, and his desperate -anxiety to be “like American kid.” He was half a head -shorter than Biff. He had long, black, wiry hair, usually -plastered down with smelly hair tonics. These he -got from Muscles. The burly mechanic tried every -new hair conditioner that came along, in an attempt -to control his unruly light brown hair. Chuba’s skin -was dark, so deeply tanned that its yellowish tinge -from his Chinese blood hardly showed. He looked -more Burmese than Chinese.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_56">56</div> -<p>His daily clothes were a pair of hand-me-down -brown shorts and hand-made sandals, ideal for the -heavy, humid weather which turned the jungle-enclosed -camp into a smoking oven. The shorts Chuba -got from the Americans in the camp. Chuba did his -own alterations on the shorts to cut them down to -his size. He was far from an expert tailor. One pair -had the left leg six inches longer than the right. Another -pair, handed down from a man with a forty-four-inch -waist, gave Chuba a laughable balloon -effect in the rear, particularly when he ran.</p> -<p>Biff’s second day at the camp in Unhao began with -a visit to the communications room. Mike Dawson, -the radio operator, merely shook his head at the question -written on Biff’s face.</p> -<p>No word from Uncle Charlie.</p> -<p>Biff hurried through breakfast. He left Headquarters -House, stepping into a blazing sun already sending -heat waves up from the brown dirt surface of the -camp.</p> -<p>Chuba was waiting just outside the entrance to -headquarters.</p> -<p>“I hurry up this morning. Help my father. Now I -can show you rest of camp.” Chuba’s father was in -charge of the servants in the camp. “My father Number -One Boss here,” Chuba told Biff proudly.</p> -<p>The boys roamed around for more than an hour. -Chuba chattered on as fast as any of the monkeys -scampering about the trees which fringed the camp.</p> -<p>“Are there elephants around here?” Biff asked. -“Yesterday morning I thought I saw one out of my -bedroom window.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_57">57</div> -<p>“Sure. Sure. Much elephants. Wild ones.” Chuba -grinned. “But one you saw must be Suzie. She dig it -here big. That means likes it here,” Chuba explained. -Biff smiled to himself. “When they clear jungle to -make the camp, many elephants used to push over -trees, and pull them away. When job is done, Suzie -and Tiny, that’s the other elephant, they won’t leave. -So—who can make an elephant go when he no want -to? They stay on.”</p> -<p>“Where did you pick up all this jive talk, Chuba?” -Biff asked.</p> -<p>“Jive talk? You mean talk like American boys?”</p> -<p>“They don’t all talk that way. Jive talk is American -slang. Some boys use it more than others.”</p> -<p>“I learn it from Muscles. He has many magazines -come to him by the mail from United States. Many -books of the comics, too. You like to meet up with -Muscles? He come back from Rangoon early this -morning.”</p> -<p>“I sure would,” Biff said.</p> -<p>There was no mistaking Muscles. Biff spotted him -as soon as they entered the hangar. The plane maintenance -mechanic, wearing only shorts, shoes, and a -long white mechanic’s coat, towered over the small -natives whom he was directing. Big was the word for -Muscles. Biff could only compare him with some of -the giant linesmen he had seen play for the Chicago -Bears professional football team. He and his father -went to the games in Chicago every now and then.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_58">58</div> -<p>As the boys approached the plane Muscles was -working on, they saw the powerful man heave an oil -drum off the floor as if it were made of tissue paper. -The drum could have weighed anywhere from one -hundred to three hundred pounds. He up-ended the -drum, and a heavy stream of thick oil flowed -smoothly to the intake pipe. Muscles held the drum -steadily for a couple of minutes.</p> -<p>“That ought to do it,” he said, and put the drum -back on the floor. He looked at the boys.</p> -<p>“Well, now, if it isn’t my young friend and Number -One boy Chuba. Hey, did you have a visitor yesterday -morning?” A big grin cracked across Muscles’ face. -It was clear that Muscles had a great liking for the -Chinese boy.</p> -<p>“Friend? No friend,” Chuba replied. He didn’t -want Muscles to think he had been frightened by -what Chuba now called his Evil Spirit Box. “I find -evil spirits in my room. They make with strange -noises, like wild animals howling.”</p> -<p>“Yeah?” Muscles was all interest. “So what gave? -Did the evil spirits send you?”</p> -<p>“I send them. I take evil spirit’s hand, shake it good, -and evil spirit’s howl become purr of pussycat.”</p> -<p>“Didn’t scare you? Gosh, and that thing cost me -twenty bucks to have it sent out from the States.” -Muscles was disappointed. Biff grinned. Chuba had -carried the thing off well. He wasn’t going to give -Muscles the satisfaction of knowing how really frightened -he had been.</p> -<p>“And you must be Biff Brewster.” Muscles turned -away from Chuba. “Charlie Keene’s nephew.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_59">59</div> -<p>“You’re right the first time, Muscles. I’ve sure -heard a lot about you. Particularly from Chuba.”</p> -<p>“I’m going to make an American kid out of that -rascal, no matter what. Say, I’m awfully sorry about -your uncle.” He paused, as he saw a worried look -come over Biff’s face. Then he hurried on rapidly. -“But don’t worry. Charlie Keene can take care of -himself. He always has. I was with him in Korea, and -I know. He’ll get back. If he doesn’t, we’ll go in and -get him.”</p> -<p>Going into Red China to hunt for his uncle had -been a thought growing more and more prominent in -Biff’s mind. If no word came from Uncle Charlie -soon, Biff knew that he couldn’t just sit around and -wait any longer. He’d have to do something.</p> -<p>After a few more minutes of talk with Muscles, -Biff and Chuba left the hangar. Biff was silent as they -walked across the hot field to the shade of a small -coconut palm grove. Chuba kept rattling on, but his -words just bounced off Biff’s ears. Biff seated himself -against the leaning trunk of a palm.</p> -<p>“Sit down a minute, Chuba. I want to ask you some -questions.”</p> -<p>“Shoots. Chuba will make with the answers.”</p> -<p>Biff frowned. “Tell me, just how tough would it be -to slip across the border into China?”</p> -<p>“For Chuba, easy. Very easy. I do it many times.”</p> -<p>“How about me? Think I could get across?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_60">60</div> -<p>“Not by yourself. But with Chuba for Number -One guide—” The native boy shrugged his shoulders. -“I know all trails. I know just where Red border -patrol guards strong, and where they guard weak. -Afraid to guard some places.”</p> -<p>“Why is that?”</p> -<p>“Wild animals. Black bears—fierce, big, kill a man -with one big swipe with paw. Also tigers and leopards. -Snakes, too. All kinds. They hang from trees. -Big python slide off tree, wrap around man’s neck -and—urgle gurgle—” Chuba made a rattling noise -in his throat. “No more man.”</p> -<p>Biff swallowed hard. “And you go over the border -in a place where all the wild animals are?”</p> -<p>“Sure,” Chuba boasted. “Chuba smell and see animals -before they see Chuba. Is safer to go into China -that way.”</p> -<p>“That way? Safer? What do you mean?”</p> -<p>“Red patrol stays close to main road. Sometimes -they let kids like me through. But, if they angry, or -their Big Boss chew ’em out, then they don’t care -whether you kid or not. They shoot you or catch you -and make you work like slave. Once you in slave -labor camp, you never come back.”</p> -<p>Biff was silent.</p> -<p>“You think maybe you like to go in find your Uncle -Charlie. Put snatch on him from Red baddies?”</p> -<p>“Something like that, Chuba. Think we could do -it?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_61">61</div> -<p>Chuba didn’t answer too quickly. His thin face was -screwed up in thought. “Be most rough. But we -smart. Most patrol dumb. Maybe all go well—maybe -not—”</p> -<p>Biff didn’t want to hear any more. His mind was -made up. If they had a fifty-fifty chance of finding -Uncle Charlie, then that was all he wanted.</p> -<p>“Meet me back here in an hour, Chuba. I want to -talk to Sahib Jack.”</p> -<p>Biff found Jack Hudson in the communications -center, pouring over a large map of China. Biff -moved to his side.</p> -<p>“Trying to figure out where Charlie might be,” -Jack said. He pointed to a position on the map.</p> -<p>“Now if you drew a line from Chungking to -Chengtu, I’d say he was somewhere west of that -line.”</p> -<p>Biff leaned closer. “Why do you think he’s in that -area?” he asked.</p> -<p>“Well, I do remember Charlie’s mentioning a small -place called Jaraminka. About two, maybe three -weeks ago. He’d just received a letter from his friend, -Ling Tang, back in the States. Right after that, he -went into Rangoon for a few days. I do know that -there’s a village by that name somewhere in that area.”</p> -<p>“Rough country?” Biff asked.</p> -<p>“In spots. It’s north of the Yunnan plateau. In the -foothills of Mt. Minya Konka. And some of those -foothills would be called mountains back where you -come from.” Jack smiled.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_62">62</div> -<p>“Anything else to go on?” Biff wanted to know.</p> -<p>“Well, we do know how much gas Charlie was -carrying. Enough for about 1,200 miles. He’d have -to allow for a safety margin. As I told you, I figure -he planned on about 500 miles in, and 500 back, of -course. That would give him a 200-mile safety factor.”</p> -<p>Jack leaned back against the map table, scratched -his head, and lit a cigarette.</p> -<p>“Another thing ... that radio signal we got.”</p> -<p>“You mean the one yesterday?”</p> -<p>“Yes. Now if that was your uncle calling....”</p> -<p>“You’re still not sure it was Uncle Charlie?”</p> -<p>“Well, I guess I am. Let’s say it was. That’s another -reason I figure he’s over toward the mountain range.”</p> -<p>“I’m not reading you too clearly right now,” Biff -said.</p> -<p>Jack laughed. “I’ll try to explain. Charlie had a -portable radio transmitter with him. A good one, battery -operated. Its maximum range would be about -500 miles under ideal conditions. That means he’d -have to have straight-line transmission.”</p> -<p>“You mean nothing in the way, like a high mountain?”</p> -<p>“That’s right, Biff. Transmission is greatly reduced -if your wave has to bend over hills or mountains.”</p> -<p>“So you figure he’s got to be high enough to shoot -a straight wave directly to Unhao.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_63">63</div> -<p>Jack nodded his head. “And the elevation around -Jaraminka really fills that bill—5,000 to 6,000 feet.”</p> -<p>“How could he ever land in such rugged terrain?” -Biff asked.</p> -<p>“Plenty of small plateaus. Some of them have been -cleared for farming.”</p> -<p>Biff picked up a drawing compass. He adjusted its -opening to fit the five-hundred-mile mark on the scale -of miles at the bottom of the map. Then, placing the -steel point on the dot marking Unhao, he swirled the -compass. The pencil end cut right through the area -Jack was describing.</p> -<p>“Nice figuring, Jack.” A faraway look floated -across Biff’s face.</p> -<p>“Hey! You’re not getting any ideas, are you?” -Jack demanded. “An American boy could never make -it across the border. Natives, sure—but you—never.”</p> -<p>Maybe not, thought Biff, but in his thoughts, he -was already there.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_64">64</div> -<h2 id="c9"><span class="small">CHAPTER IX</span> -<br />Into the Jungle</h2> -<p>A light-skinned boy could never make it. -That thought, first suggested by Chuba, restated by -Jack Hudson, kept running through Biff’s head. The -Chinese Reds’ border patrol would spot a white boy -instantly. Biff remembered stories he had read of -Americans captured in Red China. The stories weren’t -pleasant.</p> -<p>Biff left Headquarters House deep in thought. He -walked slowly across the compound. Chuba was waiting -for him in the palm grove.</p> -<p>“Biff has big thoughts?” was Chuba’s greeting. -“Maybe Chuba can help.”</p> -<p>“Maybe you can, Chuba. Maybe you just can. I’ve -got an idea. See what you think of it.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_65">65</div> -<p>For fifteen minutes Biff spoke to Chuba. At first, -the native boy kept shaking his head. Then, as Biff’s -enthusiasm mounted, Chuba was swept up by the idea. -Negative shakes of his head became excited head -shakes of agreement. Chuba’s eyes lighted up. Now he -cut in on Biff’s enthusiasm with bursts of his own. He -took over Biff’s plan, and added to it. Biff was a hard -one to resist when he became enthusiastic about anything -he wanted to do. And this he meant to do.</p> -<p>“We can do it, Biff,” Chuba said. There was no -holding the boy now. “I get things ready on double -quick. Have much ideas. But will take time.”</p> -<p>“How much time?” Biff demanded.</p> -<p>“Two hours—maybe three. Then you come to the -house of my father. You know, where you saw Evil -Spirit Box. Chuba be all ready.”</p> -<p>“Chuba, you’re a really smooth operator.”</p> -<p>“Like real American boy?”</p> -<p>“You said it.”</p> -<p>Chuba’s mouth was split into a wide grin of pride. -No praise could have pleased him more.</p> -<p class="tb">Toward late afternoon, Jack Hudson ran his hand -over his forehead. He was tired. He hated paper -work. All afternoon, he had been poring over files, -checking bills, answering letters. The work had to be -done, but he wished there was someone else to do it. -Action, that’s what he liked. Not sitting at a desk in a -hot room.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_66">66</div> -<p>As cluttered as his mind was with facts and figures, -the thought of his missing friend, Charles Keene, kept -coming back again and again. Jack thought of Biff, -too. He didn’t like the idea he felt sure was building -in Biff’s mind. Too risky, of course. But, he told himself, -this sitting around, just waiting, was getting him -down too.</p> -<p>With an impatient sweep of his arm, Jack shoved -the papers away from him. He stretched, got up, and -made for the front entrance of Headquarters House. -On the raised platform, six steps above the ground, -Jack stopped to light a cigarette. As he did so, his attention -was caught by a beggar boy coming at a run -across the compound. The boy reached the foot of -the steps and sprawled on the ground.</p> -<p>“Baksheesh, Sahib! Baksheesh!” the boy wailed.</p> -<p>Jack Hudson looked down at the boy, his feeling -of disgust mingled with one of sympathy. These poor -kids, he thought, trained to beg from the day they -could walk. Baksheesh, the word for a tip, a present, -was used in many places in the East and Far East.</p> -<p>“Baksheesh! Baksheesh!” the boy continued to -moan.</p> -<p>Jack looked about him. He spotted Chuba’s father.</p> -<p>“Ti Pao. Come here. Chop! Chop!”</p> -<p>Ti Pao came on the run. He could tell Sahib Hudson -was annoyed.</p> -<p>“You know my orders, Ti Pao. No beggars allowed -in the compound. How did this boy get in?”</p> -<p>Ti Pao shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe slip through -gate, or hide in truck coming through.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_67">67</div> -<p>“Well, get him out of here. You know that twice -a week, we hand out food and alms to the beggars. -They are not to come inside.”</p> -<p>“Baksheesh, Sahib! Baksheesh.” The plea came again.</p> -<p>“Take him away, Ti Pao.” Jack Hudson turned, -and started to reenter the building. As he did so, the -beggar said softly, “No baksheesh? Not even Coke -money?”</p> -<p>Jack whirled around. The beggar boy was already -heading for the gate. Jack scratched his head. “I could -have sworn he said— Nah! I must have been hearing -things. Must be the heat,” he mumbled to himself. He -shook his head and went through the door.</p> -<p>The beggar boy neared the gate, then cut to the -left. He raced through the palm grove, then carefully, -stealthily, made his way to the cabin of Ti Pao. There -was just a flash of brown, ragged clothing as he slipped -through the door.</p> -<p>“It work. It work! Biff!” Chuba danced up and -down in his excitement.</p> -<p>The beggar boy grinned. It was the grin of a happy -Biff Brewster.</p> -<p>“I’ll say it worked. Even your father didn’t recognize -me.”</p> -<p>“Not Sahib Hudson, either?”</p> -<p>Biff shook his head. “Nope. I fooled him completely. -I even spoke some American words. Course, -I said them low, just as I was leaving. Don’t know -whether he heard them or not.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_68">68</div> -<p>“Let me take closer look,” Chuba said. Biff turned -slowly around as Chuba made his inspection.</p> -<p>“Is much okays. I only afraid sweat make betel nut -juice get all smeary.”</p> -<p>“I was afraid of that, too, Chuba. But the stain didn’t -run.”</p> -<p>Biff looked as much like a native boy as Chuba did. -The tattered shorts and torn shirt that he wore had -been dug up by the always astonishing Chuba. Biff’s -face, his body, his legs, were stained a light, yellowish -brown. This had been done with the juice of betel -nuts, mixed and thinned with still another liquid, to -lighten the blackish fluid crushed from the betel.</p> -<p>On his feet, Biff wore floppy, torn sandals.</p> -<p>“Only one thing, Biff. Your eyes. Should be more -slanty. I fix.”</p> -<p>Chuba took out a piece of charcoal. At the outside -corners of each of Biff’s eyes, Chuba deftly applied -upward strokes with the charcoal. He stepped back to -view his handiwork. Then he went into a gale of -laughter.</p> -<p>“You much China boy now. No one could tell difference.”</p> -<p>“Just call me the Chop Suey Kid,” Biff laughed.</p> -<p>“Chop Suey Kid? What’s chop suey?”</p> -<p>“You never heard of it?”</p> -<p>Chuba shook his head.</p> -<p>“Well, back in America it’s our favorite Chinese -food.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_69">69</div> -<p>Chuba looked puzzled. He still didn’t get it. He -shrugged it off. “Now, we all set. No border guard -ever spot you. Never tell you American boy.”</p> -<p>Biff had passed his test. Neither Jack Hudson nor, -even more important, Ti Pao, had penetrated his disguise.</p> -<p>“Okay then, Chuba. We’re all set. It’s still an hour -before the night mess call. I think we’d better be well -on our way by then. I’ll be missed when I don’t show -up for chow. And Jack Hudson will guess where I’ve -headed. But by then, it will be too late, too dark, to -start a search. What about food, and other stuff?”</p> -<p>“All set. Chuba has everything. Even bottle of juice -in case you start turning back into white boy. We got -food for two days. After that, Chuba get more wherever -we are.”</p> -<p>“All right, Chuba. Now I’m really going to let your -father put me out the gate. I’ll follow the river until -I reach the second bend. Then I’ll wait for you.”</p> -<p>“All is good. Chuba be right after you. Not look -good for me to leave here with lowly beggar boy.” -Chuba grinned, and Biff returned his smile.</p> -<p>That night, by nine o’clock, the two boys were deep -in the swampy jungle between the Irrawaddy River -and the border of China.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_70">70</div> -<h2 id="c10"><span class="small">CHAPTER X</span> -<br />The Barrier</h2> -<p>Night turned the Burmese jungle into a frightening -enemy. Towering trees, teak, acle, ironwood, shot -straight upward, so close packed and dense that they -blotted out the starlit sky.</p> -<p>Vines, some of them as thick as a man’s arm, were -forever stretching low across the boys’ path, as if trying -to hold them back from their bold venture.</p> -<p>What bothered Biff most of all was the sickening -smell of the jungle. Rotted vegetation gave off a rank, -stifling odor. Biff had been in the jungles of Brazil, -but they were nothing compared to the one he and -Chuba were forcing their way through.</p> -<p>During the two hours they had traveled in the waning -daylight, their progress had been swift. Chuba -knew the trails well. Sometimes, moving at a trot -several steps ahead of Biff, the native boy would seem -to be swallowed by hedges of low, thick brushwood. -But he would reappear, parting the thick growth so -that Biff could follow.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_71">71</div> -<p>Moving swiftly, silently, without talking, to conserve -their breath, Biff was suddenly startled. From -directly overhead came a chorus of angry screams. -Biff stopped and looked up.</p> -<p>“Only monkeys, Biff,” Chuba called back. “We -wake them from their sleep, and they no like. Come.”</p> -<p>Once again Chuba took up his steady pace. Thorny -bushes grabbed at Biff’s already tattered clothes. Ugly -scratches marked his legs. Most upsetting was the unexpected -change from dry land into dank, oozing -swampland. Chuba never stopped, or gave any warning -of what lay ahead. Time and again the native boy -plunged into a narrow stream. Once the water, -muddy, almost hot, came up to Biff’s waist. As he -neared the opposite bank, he halted a moment to look -back.</p> -<p>“Biff! Biff! Hurry! Out of the water!”</p> -<p>Biff leaped for the bank just as a partly submerged -log moved swiftly through the water to the spot -where he had been standing. As it reached the bank, -the “log’s” jaws opened, and Biff heard the chilling -sound of teeth gnashing together.</p> -<p>“Crocodile, Biff. Never stop in stream. Old croc -might be hungry.”</p> -<p>“If he likes mud-flavored boy, I’m his dish,” Biff -thought.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_72">72</div> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/p03.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="801" /> -<p class="caption"><i>Biff heard the chilling sound of teeth gnashing together</i></p> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_73">73</div> -<p>After traveling for six hours with only brief rest -breaks, the boys were bone weary. Biff figured it must -be midnight or a little after. They had reached a small -clearing, a circle about thirty feet across. Toward one -side a single ironwood tree rose high above the surrounding -underbrush.</p> -<p>“We stop here for the night,” Chuba said. “You -ever sleep in a tree?”</p> -<p>“Once. Didn’t find it very comfortable though. Do -we have to?”</p> -<p>“Is much better. This tree has nice big limbs. Find -good crotch, settle in it, and sleep real good. Too -many animals on the ground. Animals and insects. Big -ants, geckos, even wild pigs. You know gecko? Is big, -slimy lizard. Wild pigs don’t care who they eat. And -ants sting real bad. Much better in tree.”</p> -<p>Chuba stood at the base of the tree. “You give me -push up to first limb. Then I can give you my hand to -pull you up. Come on.”</p> -<p>Biff didn’t reply, or move. His eyes were intent on -a vine that hung down from one of the higher limbs. -It seemed to sway slightly. But there was no breeze.</p> -<p>“Back, Chuba! Back!” Biff shouted.</p> -<p>Chuba leaped backward. Biff, fascinated, watched -the “vine” stretch downward, then slither off the -branch and plunge downward.</p> -<p>“Python!” Chuba cried out.</p> -<p>“Yes. Python. I’ve seen them before. Not pythons -like that one, but boas. Boa constrictors of South -America. They’re of the same family.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_74">74</div> -<p>The boys now stood in the center of the circle. The -python, nearly twenty feet long, seemed to stare at -Biff and Chuba. Then it slowly slithered into the underbrush.</p> -<p>Biff looked at Chuba. The native boy lowered his -head. “Is Chuba’s mistake. Always, my father tell me -to be sure and check sleeping tree for python. Chuba -forget this time. If Biff not so alert, maybe python -now be around Chuba’s neck instead of deep in forest.”</p> -<p>“Any chance of its coming back? If it went up that -tree once, why shouldn’t it come up again? And with -us up there!”</p> -<p>“Oh, no. Once snake scared away, it not come back. -This Chuba knows. Python climb up tree to attack -enemies by dropping down. Never climb up to find -enemies.”</p> -<p>“Well, I just hope you’re right. Come on, let’s hop -into our upper berths.”</p> -<p>“Upper berths?” Chuba asked.</p> -<p>Biff explained, and the two boys climbed up the -tree to their sleeping quarters. Biff watched Chuba as -he nestled down on a stout limb forming a crotch with -the trunk of the tree. Chuba stretched out backward, -his legs on either side of the tree trunk. Biff did the -same. At first, the position was most uncomfortable. -Biff felt he had to keep his knees tightly pressed against -the tree trunk to keep from falling. Gradually, though, -he squirmed into a position where his legs dangled -down, each touching the trunk with just enough pressure -to keep him balanced.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_75">75</div> -<p>Some bed, Biff thought. Then, his body aching from -battling his way through the jungle, Biff slept.</p> -<p>Early in the morning, with the sun fighting to send -its rays through the dense jungle, Biff was awakened -by a call from just above him. Chuba was about five -limbs higher up.</p> -<p>“Good sleep, Biff?” Chuba called down.</p> -<p>Before answering, Biff tested his cramped arms and -legs. He was stiff all over. Sleeping in a tree might be -safe, but it certainly was no featherbed. He knew -though, that after half an hour in the hot, steamy jungle, -he would sweat all the stiffness out of his body.</p> -<p>“Guess so. I slept, anyway,” he called up to Chuba.</p> -<p>“Then we go down, and be on our way. We should -reach border in two more hours.”</p> -<p>The sun had brightened the circular opening below, -about the only spot where the sun’s rays could get -through. Biff heard Chuba scrambling down from -above him. Then he looked down and gasped. There -in the center of the circle, stretched out asleep, was the -most magnificent animal he had ever seen.</p> -<p>“Hold it up there, Chuba,” Biff said softly. The -scrambling stopped. “Can you see down through the -leaves?”</p> -<p>Chuba’s answering gasp told him that he could.</p> -<p>The animal below, enjoying a morning snooze, was -a tiger.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_76">76</div> -<p>Both boys held their breath, afraid that even the -slightest sound might awaken the sleeping beast. Moments -passed. Then, in a whisper, Biff asked, “What -do we do now?”</p> -<p>Chuba’s answering whisper came down through the -leaves. “We wait, Biff. All we can do. If we try to -scare him away, he get mad, wait for us to fall out of -tree and eat us.”</p> -<p>Chuba’s knowledge, Biff realized, was mixed up -with superstition and tales handed down from one -generation to another. Tigers, Biff knew, were man-eaters -only in certain circumstances. A wounded tiger -would attack a man. So would one so old that it could -no longer get its food easily. Then, man, less quick, -less nimble than the animals tigers usually fed on, -could well become the evening meal of a tiger.</p> -<p>Biff looked down at the sleeping animal. Its sleek, -glistening fur told him that this was a young tiger. Its -white furry underbelly was puffed out. That tiger had -had a good meal, Biff knew. Probably caught his -breakfast just before daylight, and now he was having -a nice nap in the sun.</p> -<p>“Is he still sleeping?” Chuba whispered.</p> -<p>“Like a baby after its morning bottle,” Biff whispered -back. Biff didn’t think the tiger would sleep too -long. Not as the morning sun rose higher, and its fiery -rays burned down on the opening. Once they hit Mr. -Tiger, the animal would move off to a shady spot and -complete his rest.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_77">77</div> -<p>As Biff watched the animal, the jungle suddenly -came alive with the screeching, cawing, and screaming -of hundreds of birds and animals.</p> -<p>The tiger sat up quickly. It rose to its feet, its long -tail switching back and forth. Then it opened its -mouth in a gaping yawn, showing glistening white -teeth and fangs. It turned its head from side to side, -looking to spot any danger.</p> -<p>“That noise from the monkeys,” Chuba called -down. “Or maybe wildcats. They chasing the parrots. -All very much mad at each other.”</p> -<p>“Good for them,” Biff called back. “They woke up -our friend down there. I think old tiger’s going to -move along.”</p> -<p>Biff watched the tiger. He saw it stretch, arching -its back very much like any tomcat. It slowly trotted -out of the clearing into the dense undergrowth.</p> -<p>“Tiger’s gone, Chuba. We’ll wait awhile, then let’s -take off from here fast.”</p> -<p>Biff had no way of counting the passing minutes. He -had left his watch back at Unhao. It would be a fatal -error, he knew, if a Chinese beggar boy were spotted -wearing a wrist watch. He forced himself to wait. He -wanted to be sure that the tiger was long gone to another -sleeping spot. The minutes went by as the -sounds of the jungle grew louder and louder. Crows -added their angry caws to the symphony of sounds -coming from herons, silver pheasants, and other birds.</p> -<p>“I think it’s safe now, Chuba. What do you think?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_78">78</div> -<p>Biff’s answer was the sound of Chuba scrambling -down from his perch.</p> -<p>“Okay, Biff, we go.”</p> -<p>The boys climbed down, dropping the final ten feet -to the ground. Chuba opened his bundle and took from -it two handfuls of cooked rice. They ate as they took -up their trek once again, scooping up a handful of -water from the first clear stream they came to.</p> -<p>After traveling an hour, by which time the sweat -was pouring off Biff’s body, soaking his ragged -clothes, Chuba stopped.</p> -<p>“We’re not far from border now, Biff. Maybe another -hour, maybe less, until we get there.”</p> -<p>“And where we cross there won’t be any border -guards?” Biff asked.</p> -<p>“Chuba doesn’t think so. Main road where guard always -patrols is south of here, almost a day’s walk. -Thus path we on leads to small, narrow river. River is -boundary between Burma and China. Where we cross -is a small clearing. River not deep there. Only up to -knees. Easy to get to other side.”</p> -<p>The other side was China. The thought sent a thrilling -chill through Biff’s body.</p> -<p>“We move with much quiet now,” Chuba said. -“Stay close together. Might be others at clearing. Not -guards, but maybe Chinese bandits. They use this -path too, when they fleeing Chinese soldiers.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_79">79</div> -<p>Biff and Chuba moved quickly but cautiously along -the trail. Every few yards, Chuba would stop, straining -to catch any unusual sound that might warn of -danger ahead. At every hidden turn in the path, Chuba -would crawl forward, then signal to Biff that all was -clear, to come ahead.</p> -<p>“We’re almost there now,” Chuba whispered. -“Around next bend in path, we come to clearing and -the river. Go slow now. Most careful.”</p> -<p>The boys seemed to move ahead by inches. They -neared the final bend. On reaching it, Chuba slipped -off the path, pressing his body behind a large palm -tree. Biff came up behind, looking over Chuba’s shoulder. -They craned their necks around the tree trunk until -the edge of the clearing came in sight.</p> -<p>“Looks like it’s all clear,” Biff said.</p> -<p>Chuba nodded his head. They left the protection of -the tree. Darting from one low bush to another, they -came to the edge of the opening. All was clear in the -opening on their side of the river. Then, raising their -heads, they looked across the thirty feet of water -separating them from China.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_80">80</div> -<p>Both drew back quickly. Two men, wearing -peaked, long-billed caps sat in the middle of the clearing -on the opposite bank. Red stars on the front of -their caps told the boys who they were. Not bandits, -not others seeking a safe passage from one country to -the other. These two men were members of the border -patrol. The two ugly, snub-nosed sub-machine -guns were further proof, if further proof was necessary.</p> -<p>Biff shot a quick look at Chuba. For the first time -Biff saw fear—stark terror—written on the native -boy’s face.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_81">81</div> -<h2 id="c11"><span class="small">CHAPTER XI</span> -<br />Inside China</h2> -<p>Biff placed a hand on his friend’s arm. Why, Chuba -was trembling! The realization of Chuba’s fear of the -border patrol was startling to Biff. Chuba showed no -such fear in the jungle. He wasn’t afraid of crocodiles, -snakes, or tigers. He respected them as man’s natural -enemies.</p> -<p>But now, confronted with the border guard, Chuba -was near panic. Biff thought back to Chuba’s talk -about how easy it was to cross the border, how he said -he’d crossed several times. When they were discussing -this dangerous trip, Chuba had practically brushed the -guards aside as no problem. But the fear must have -been there, just the same. Chuba was a good actor. Biff -realized just how much courage it must have taken on -Chuba’s part to agree to guide him into China. He -gripped the native boy’s arm in friendship and to reassure -him.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_82">82</div> -<p>“Take it easy, Chuba. We’re all right. But let’s cut -back down the trail and figure out what we can do.” -Biff flashed a smile at Chuba and signaled the direction -he meant to take. Chuba followed close on his heels -like a puppy.</p> -<p>After retracing their steps for about one hundred -yards down the path, the boys ducked off the trail and -found a hiding place behind a thick clump of bushes.</p> -<p>For a few moments Biff talked quietly. He talked -about Indianapolis, his home, about the United States. -He talked about anything that came into his head. He -wanted to calm Chuba down. “American talk,” he -thought, would do the trick since it was Chuba’s favorite -subject. Soon a weak smile came over Chuba’s -face. “I’m sorry, Biff,” he apologized. “I’m sorry I act -like chicken.”</p> -<p>“That’s okay, Chuba. I’d have been scared, too, if I -knew as much about the border guard as you do.”</p> -<p>“I hear many things. All bad.”</p> -<p>“Tell me honestly, Chuba. You said you’ve crossed -over several times. Have you, really?”</p> -<p>“Yes, Biff. Chuba not lie. Only,” he paused, “never -any border guard around when Chuba slip over before.”</p> -<p>“I see. Well, what do we do about it? You think the -guard will stay there all day?”</p> -<p>“Can’t tell. Much likely they will stay long time.”</p> -<p>“I suppose so,” Biff said. He thought a minute. “It -might be that there’s been a lot of slipping across the -border here lately, and these guards have been assigned -to stop it.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_83">83</div> -<p>“I think you right, Biff.”</p> -<p>Neither spoke for several minutes. Both were trying -to figure a way out of the spot they found themselves -in.</p> -<p>“How about this, Chuba? Couldn’t we either go up -the river a couple hundred yards or more, or down -the river and slip across?”</p> -<p>Chuba shook his head. “No, Biff. River narrow, run -very quick on both sides of the clearing. Too deep. -Jungle grow real thick and fierce right to water’s -edge. Can’t get through.”</p> -<p>“Well, we’ve just got to get across somehow. We’re -losing time.” As Biff spoke, another thought was building -in his head.</p> -<p>“Now let me ask you this, Chuba. See if you think -this plan might work. Supposing I cut off the trail -about a hundred feet from the clearing. I’ll make my -way through the underbrush to a spot say seventy-five -feet away from the trail. You go hide behind that -tree where we first spotted the guard. You follow -me?”</p> -<p>“Okay so far.”</p> -<p>“Right. Then I’ll yell like a Comanche. That ought -to distract the guard. They’ll try to find who’s making -the noise. If they leave the clearing, you can slip -across the river.”</p> -<p>“Good idea, Biff. But how about you? How you -going to get across?”</p> -<p>“Same way. Only this time <i>you</i> do the distracting. -You yell like a Comanche.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_84">84</div> -<p>Chuba grinned. “Could work. But how does Comanche -bird yell?”</p> -<p>Biff decided to postpone his lecture on TV westerns -until another time. “Don’t worry about it. Just yell -like I do. We’ve got to try it. It’s our only chance. -Now, if you get across all right, wait. Wait a good -long time. By then, the guards will probably give up -the search and return to their post in the clearing. I -don’t imagine they like prowling around the jungle -too much.”</p> -<p>“No, too many wild animals.”</p> -<p>“Okay. So, you’d better make your way a good -distance from the clearing. Say you go to a place -about a hundred yards opposite the river—downriver—so -I’ll know where to listen for you. You’re going -to be on the same side as the guards, so be sure you’re -in a safe place and can make a fast getaway if they -should come anywhere near you.”</p> -<p>“Don’t worry about that. Chuba can hide good in -jungle.”</p> -<p>“All right, let’s get moving.” But neither moved for -a few minutes. Both boys were reluctant to part company. -They knew the danger lying before them. They -might never see one another again, if Biff’s plan failed.</p> -<p>“Now, where will we meet?” Biff asked.</p> -<p>“You just keep running down path after you cross -river. Get as far as you can. Then find good hiding -place. When I know guard has gone back to clearing, -I’ll move along trail making sound like a crow. Like -this.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_85">85</div> -<p>Chuba let out a soft “caw, caw.” It was an exact -imitation. Chuba wouldn’t have any trouble being a -“Comanche bird,” either, Biff thought.</p> -<p>“Good. I’m off.” Biff pushed his way into the underbrush. -It was tough going. The low, dense vegetation -tore at him. Vines dropped like heavy curtains -from the tall trees hiding whatever lay ahead. It was -steaming hot. Biff wrestled the jungle growth, sweat -streaming down his face and body. It must have taken -him nearly half an hour to penetrate a distance of -about 75 or 100 feet.</p> -<p>Chuba could hear Biff making his way through the -brush. At first, he didn’t move. He knew he had to go -back to the clearing, but the thought was frightening. -It took all his courage to force himself back up the -path. But he knew that if he didn’t, he would let his -friend down. Biff’s plan depended on Chuba’s being at -the clearing at the right moment. Yet, if the plan misfired—Chuba -shuddered.</p> -<p>Back at the edge of the clearing, Chuba crawled on -his stomach to where the low growth stopped. Carefully -he parted the bush he lay behind. The peephole -allowed him a full view of the clearing.</p> -<p>They were still there. The two guards squatted on -their haunches. One was munching some food. The -other braced himself by holding onto the barrel of his -sub-machine gun, the gun’s butt resting on the ground.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_86">86</div> -<p>Chuba inched backward. He took up his position -behind the tree. Biff’s yelling could come any moment -now. What would the guards do? Would they come -charging across the stream to do their searching? -Chuba didn’t think so. If they did, then they would be -crossing the border illegally, although Chuba knew -that often the guards paid scant attention to this regulation.</p> -<p>What if only one guard took up the search, the -other remaining behind to guard the clearing? One -good thing, Chuba knew, was that from the direction -Biff had taken, it might appear that the yelling came -from the same side of the river that the guards were -on. There was a sharp turn in the stream about thirty -feet to the west of the clearing. If Biff made his way -toward the riverbank, he might actually be behind the -guards, but still on the side opposite from them.</p> -<p>“Eeeeee-owieeeee!”</p> -<p>The sharp, piercing scream rose above the constant -chattering of the monkeys, the shrill calls of jungle -birds. For a moment, the jungle became silent. The -monkeys and birds were as startled as the two guards. -So <i>that</i> was American bird yell! “Much wow!” Chuba -was impressed.</p> -<p>Chuba, moving slightly forward, saw the guards -leap to their feet. They looked about them quickly. -Both released the safety catches on their weapons. -They raised their guns to firing position.</p> -<p>“Eeeee-owieeeee!” Again the wild cry blasted -through the jungle.</p> -<p>The guards turned in the direction the cry came -from.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_87">87</div> -<p>“Yow! Yow! Yow! Yow!”</p> -<p>The series of short cries came in rapid succession.</p> -<p>The jungle had never heard a sound like it. It could -only come from a human being. One of the guards -motioned in the direction of the cries. Then he started -toward the spot. The other guard held back, until his -companion turned and spoke to him in an angry voice. -The two plunged into the undergrowth.</p> -<p>Now was his chance. With his heart pounding, fear -tightening his throat muscles, Chuba made his dash. He -was in mid-stream when once more Biff let out a series -of short cries, followed by a long “Eeeee-owieeee!”</p> -<p>A good thing he did, too. His shouting drowned out -the splashes made by Chuba as he raced through the -water which tugged at his legs. Now Chuba had -reached the opposite shore. He tore down the trail, -his lungs bursting from his effort.</p> -<p>When he felt the guards were well behind him, -Chuba cut off to the left of the trail, spotted a hiding -place, and dived under the sprawling bush. He lay -there gasping for breath.</p> -<p>How long he lay there, Chuba had no way of telling. -Finally, he forced himself to his feet. Biff might -already be at the tree, waiting for Chuba to take over -his part in the action.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_88">88</div> -<p>Chuba moved along the path back toward the river. -He moved cautiously, silently, making no more noise -than a big cat stalking its prey. When he neared the -clearing, Chuba went down to his hands and knees. -Taking advantage of the cover offered by the low -bushes, he crept forward. Again carefully parting a -heavy bush, he looked into the clearing.</p> -<p>The guards had returned. They were talking rapidly -to one another. Chuba couldn’t make out their words, -but he felt sure they were talking about the strange -cry they had heard. They were probably frightened -by it, and at this thought, Chuba smiled. He felt a lot -better now. He had made it over the border. But even -as he had this thought, he remembered Biff. Biff had -to get across. Only half the job was done.</p> -<p>Biff would surely be back at the tree by now. Time -for more action. A frown of doubt crossed Chuba’s -face. Would the guard be fooled a second time?</p> -<p>Chuba went ahead with the plan. He walked back -up the trail for one hundred paces. Then he slithered -into the underbrush, crawling, forcing his way -through the wall of thick, spiny growth.</p> -<p>If he, Chuba, made the same kind of noise Biff had -made, wouldn’t the guards’ suspicions be aroused? Already -they would be tense, nervous. They hadn’t -found anything the first time. Wouldn’t they just ignore -a second set of strange “Yows” and “Eeeee-owieeees?” -Chuba felt sure they would. So what could he -do? He just had to help Biff cross. Okay, he knew -what he would do. He could outsmart the guard in -the denseness of the jungle. They would never be able -to catch him.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_89">89</div> -<p>Chuba reached a position he thought would do. It -was near the spot he and Biff had discussed, as far as -he could figure. He took a deep breath, then, shouting -in Chinese, he called out, “Help! Help! Strange man -here! Strange man! Help! Help!”</p> -<p>He waited. Moments passed. He repeated his call -for help. Seconds later, he heard the crashing of the -guards as they fought through the underbrush.</p> -<p>Chuba waited no longer. He got himself away from -the spot where he had called out as fast as he could -wriggle his body along. He knew he had made a safe -getaway when he could no longer hear the guards -struggling against the brush. Chuba smiled to himself. -He knew he was only about fifty feet from the trail. -He sat down. He would wait, a long wait this time, to -make sure the guard had gotten back to the clearing, -and that Biff had had plenty of time to put a good -distance between himself and the river.</p> -<p>Chuba leaned back against the base of a tree. He -felt good about the way things had gone.</p> -<p>Suddenly, the noises of the jungle were drowned -out by the most horrible noise of all—the angry, “<i>bup</i>, -<i>bup</i>, <i>bup</i>” of a sub-machine gun’s fire. First there was -a short burst. Another short burst. This was followed -by a longer burst as several rounds were fired. Then, -silence.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_90">90</div> -<h2 id="c12"><span class="small">CHAPTER XII</span> -<br />Shooting the Yangtze Rapids</h2> -<p>Eerie silence spread over the jungle following the -machine-gun firing. The jungle was holding its breath. -The monkeys, birds, even the cicadas, stopped their -endless chattering and calling for several moments. -Chuba sat rigid, his fists clenched, as fear tore at his -nerves. Biff! What had happened to his friend Biff?</p> -<p>What could he do? What was there to do? The -questions whirled in his head. No sensible answers -came. If he went back down the trail toward the -river, he might run into the guards, still prowling, -ready to let loose their deadly spray of bullets at the -slightest strange sound or movement. But what about -Biff? Had those shots been directed at him? And had -they reached him? Chuba shuddered at the thought.</p> -<p>After waiting as long as his worried mind would -permit him, Chuba decided to investigate. On his stomach, -he wormed his way toward the path. At the edge -of the brush, he stopped. For minutes he lay still, listening, -listening, straining his ears to catch any sound -that might warn him of the guards’ presence.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_91">91</div> -<p>“It’s all right,” he told himself, trying desperately to -rebuild his courage. “They’ve gone back to the clearing. -It’s safe for me to explore.”</p> -<p>Just as Chuba snaked his body halfway out on the -trail, he tensed. He heard a noise behind him. Not -much of a noise, only the faintest rustle in the brush. -Quickly the native boy worked his way backward off -the trail.</p> -<p>Again he heard the noise, slightly louder this time. -An animal, a snake? Chuba knew that his knife, long -and sharp as it was, would be little protection against -a jungle animal. And even less against guards armed -with rapid-fire weapons.</p> -<p>Then he caught another faint sound, soft, so soft as -to be barely heard.</p> -<p>“Eeeee-owieeeee.” Silence. Then, slightly louder, -“Yow ... Yow.”</p> -<p>Chuba’s face brightened. “Caww ... caww,” he -answered.</p> -<p>“Chuba” was the one word whispered in reply to -his crow call.</p> -<p>The native boy wiped his forehead with his forearm -and sighed in relief. It was Biff. It had to be. Biff -was all right.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_92">92</div> -<p>“Biff?” Chuba called in a squeaky voice. The boy -scrambled to the edge of the trail again. He looked -carefully to his right, down the trail toward the river. -Then he looked left, where the Comanche call had -been sounded. He saw Biff’s stained face poke out of -the bushes about ten feet away. A big grin showed -white teeth even whiter against his brown face.</p> -<p>The two boys wasted no time in talk. They made -tracks, and fast, away from the river, away from the -border guard. After an hour of steady traveling, -Chuba darted off the main path, following a little used -one deep into the bush.</p> -<p>“We rest here,” Chuba said, gasping for breath.</p> -<p>“Okay by me,” said Biff. It seemed to him that -every bone, every muscle in his body ached. The struggle -through the jungle growth, the tension of making -the river crossing, had worn both boys out. Both were -only too happy to stretch out and let their bodies regain -strength.</p> -<p>“So this is China,” Biff said wearily.</p> -<p>He sat up, dug into his bundle, and took out a small -bottle of antiseptic. This he rubbed over the scratches -on his legs and arms. He handed the bottle to Chuba. -Then he took out a large tube of insect repellant. Flies -and mosquitoes had formed a small cloud around the -two.</p> -<p>“What happened?” Chuba asked. “I heard much -gun shoots. I worry. I think maybe they shoot Biff.”</p> -<p>“They tried to, Chuba. I fooled ’em, though.”</p> -<p>“How you do this?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_93">93</div> -<p>“Well, I got across the river all right without being -seen. Those guards really jumped when they heard -you call. I’d gone maybe fifty feet down the trail, on -this side, when I heard the guards coming back out of -the brush, back to the trail. So I dived into a thicket -and crawled away from the trail. I don’t know how -long I waited. Then I heard the guards getting nearer -the spot where I was hiding.”</p> -<p>“They almost find you?”</p> -<p>“Darn near it. I don’t believe they could have been -more than ten feet from me at one time. That’s -when I figured I had to do something. I found a stick -about three feet long and as thick as your arm. I heard -the guards talking to one another. Then I hurled the -stick as far as I could. It crashed in the brush, made -quite a noise. Just what I wanted. The guards rushed -back down the trail toward the spot where the stick -landed. Then they opened up. That’s the shooting you -heard.”</p> -<p>Chuba smiled. “I bet they cut big hole in underbrush -with those bullets.”</p> -<p>“But we fooled them, Chuba. We got across.”</p> -<p>“Now we better get moving again,” the boy was -suddenly very businesslike. “Not far from here is -small village. When we get there, we take main road. -Now we’re inside China, no more have to take to secret -trails and paths. We just two Chinese beggar -boys.”</p> -<p>By nightfall the boys had reached the crumbling -gray wall surrounding a small village.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_94">94</div> -<p>“In this village,” said Chuba, “lives the young -brother of my father. He will give us shelter for the -night.”</p> -<p>The boys passed through the village gate. Biff saw a -small, rust-stained cannon seemingly hanging down -from the wall on one side of the gate. At the other -side, another cannon lay in the dirt at the base of the -wall. It had long since broken away from its emplacement. -Once, many years ago, these cannon protected -the village from the raids of bandits. But now, the -wall was crumbling in many places, and the city was -open to anyone wishing to enter.</p> -<p>Biff and Chuba made their way along a narrow, dirt -street, lined with small houses made of thatch and -mud. Men, women, and children, all poorly dressed, -moved back and forth, at times filling the street until -it was difficult for the boys to make their way.</p> -<p>They reached the end of the street, a distance of not -much more than a quarter of a mile. Chuba cut off to -his left toward a house standing just inside the gray -wall, but somewhat removed from the other houses.</p> -<p>“The house of my uncle,” Chuba said, pointing.</p> -<p>Biff was glad to leave the street. It was littered with -trash, and the smells were sickening.</p> -<p>“When we are inside the house of my uncle, you -must not say a single word,” Chuba warned. “I do -not want even him to know you are America boy. I -tell him you can hear but cannot talk. I tell him we on -our way to visit the older brother of my father, he -who lives on the banks of the Yangtze River.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_95">95</div> -<p>The house was roughly made of earthen bricks and -thatched with wheat straw. A small man stood at the -entrance to the house. The doorway was closed only -by a drooping cloth, sewn together from several grain -bags.</p> -<p>Chuba bowed low as he approached his uncle. They -spoke together rapidly. Biff, of course, could not understand -a single word spoken. Chuba turned to him.</p> -<p>“My uncle welcomes us. He says we may sleep here, -and he will feed us. Come, we go in.”</p> -<p>The floor of the house was earth, worn smooth and -packed hard by the feet of three generations of the -uncle’s family. A Chinese woman looked at the boys -as they entered, but spoke no word of greeting. She -was the uncle’s wife. Two children, each younger and -smaller than Chuba, stared at the boys, their eyes -round with wonder at seeing strangers.</p> -<p>Chuba’s uncle spoke to his wife. Minutes later she -brought both the boys a small portion of rice, served -in an earthen saucer. The rice had little or no flavor for -Biff. But it was hot, and he ate every grain.</p> -<p>Night had fallen. The only light came from the fire -in the open oven set in one wall of the house.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_96">96</div> -<p>The uncle spoke again to Chuba, and the boy nodded -and motioned Biff to follow. The uncle took them -into a small room which was to be their sleeping room. -There were only three rooms in the house. Biff looked -about him. The room was bare except for one low -bench standing in the center. They would sleep that -night on the dirt floor. And sleep they did, as if they -were in the most comfortable beds ever made. At -dawn, with another small bowl of rice to warm their -stomachs, the boys were on their way again.</p> -<p>The boys crossed the Plateau of Yunnan and -reached Chaochiang on the Yangtze River. This was -the small town where the older brother of Chuba’s -father lived. From this uncle, Chuba borrowed a -crudely built small boat, held together with wire and -wooden pegs. Two cumbersome, double-bladed oars -would be power. The boat was to be left at Sundhiango, -a village about one hundred miles west of -Chungking. Chuba’s uncle would get it on his next -trip to the large city.</p> -<p>The Yangtze River, rising out of the mountains of -Tibet on its 3,500 mile course to the Yellow Sea, flows -swiftly in the western part of China. The ugly, yellow -water roars through chasms, with lofty crags on -either side rising 300 feet high. The little boat, Biff in -the bow, Chuba in the stern, raced along like a small -chip of wood. It was fun at first after the tiring days of -fighting their way through the jungle on foot. They -sped through gorges, putting mile after mile behind -them. As they neared Sundhiango, the river widened. -Boiling white water told Biff that they were getting -into shallower water. A roar from ahead told him -they were approaching rapids.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_97">97</div> -<p>They shot the first three rapids without trouble, -then entered a broad, smooth stretch of water where -they drifted slowly with the current. Rounding a sharp -bend, Biff again heard the roar of white water. This -time the roar was louder than before. The small craft -suddenly picked up speed. The boat plunged into the -swirling, dashing water and was tossed about as if it -were a twig. Time and again, it seemed the boat would -crash on a huge boulder. Each time the current swirled -it around just in time to prevent a smashup.</p> -<p>Looking ahead, Biff could see the end of the rapid. -The round swell of the water was a warning—falls -ahead! There must be a drop of several feet, Biff -figured. He couldn’t see directly beyond the falls. All -that was visible was a broad body of water beyond—smooth, -quiet, wide enough to be a small lake.</p> -<p>There was nothing to do but pray that the boat -would get safely over the falls and into the calm water -beyond.</p> -<p>“Hold on, Chuba!” Biff called. Oars were useless -now.</p> -<p>The boat was caught up in a natural spillway, a narrow, -fast-moving path of water which shot over the -falls and plunged downward. The boat shot over the -spillway. For moments, it seemed to hang in mid-air. -Then it hit the water below with a bone-jarring smack.</p> -<p>“We made it!” Biff cried jubilantly, turning to look -back at Chuba. Chuba had disappeared. He had been -thrown out of the boat as it leaped over the falls. Biff -spotted his friend’s head in the water twenty feet this -side of the falls.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_98">98</div> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/p04.jpg" alt="Shooting the rapids" width="600" height="391" /> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_100">100</div> -<p>“Have a good swim, Chuba,” Biff shouted gaily. -“I’ll wait for you.” Biff reset the oars and leaned them -on his knees. “Hey, chum, not so much splash—” -Biff’s happy call faded out. Chuba was floundering in -the water. His arms stopped thrashing and his head -went out of sight. Then it bobbed into view, only to -sink a second time.</p> -<p>With a start, Biff realized that Chuba couldn’t swim.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_101">101</div> -<h2 id="c13"><span class="small">CHAPTER XIII</span> -<br />The First Clue</h2> -<p>Jack Hudson looked up from his desk as Muscles, -the powerful mechanic, came in. For a few moments -the two men stared at one another, saying nothing. -Muscles, hands on hips, broad shoulders squared, chest -thrust out, looked like an angry bull about to charge.</p> -<p>“Okay, Muscles, let’s have it,” Jack said.</p> -<p>“About those kids. What are we going to do?”</p> -<p>“I wish I knew. We’ve got to do something.”</p> -<p>“You’re darn tootin’ we have,” Muscles bellowed. -“I’m sick and tired of just sitting around here, waiting. -We got to act.”</p> -<p>“Take it easy, Muscles. I’ve been thinking about it -as much as you have.”</p> -<p>“Now look, Jack. Charlie Keene’s been gone almost -a month. The kids nearly two weeks.”</p> -<p>“I know. I know. But what can we do? You know -what it means to go in after them.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_102">102</div> -<p>“You think you know where they are?”</p> -<p>Jack nodded his head. “I’ve got a pretty good idea -where the boys are heading. I just hope Charlie’s in the -same general area. I just hope they’re not all scattered -over the face of China.”</p> -<p>“What bugs me most is Biff being spotted by now. -An American kid among all those Chinese—bound to -be!”</p> -<p>“I don’t think so, Muscles. Biff and Chuba worked -out a disguise that made Biff look more like a Chinese -than Chuba does. Biff not only fooled me, but fooled -Ti Pao as well.”</p> -<p>“He fooled Chuba’s father? That’s really something.”</p> -<p>Jack nodded his head. “Yeah. Both of those kids are -plenty smart. I think they’ll make it in. They might -even get a line on Charlie’s whereabouts. But getting -back out—” Jack shook his head soberly.</p> -<p>“That’s where we get into the act,” Muscles said -quickly. “Look, I got the Cessna tuned up so she’s -purring like a kitten. Extra fuel tanks installed. We -can go in, pick up Charlie and the kids—”</p> -<p>“<i>If</i> we could find them.”</p> -<p>“We can find them. Look, here’s my idea. We go in -together. At night. You drop me. I locate Charlie and -the kids, then I make a signal on the shortwave transmitter, -and bang, you come, pick us up, and all’s well.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_103">103</div> -<p>Jack didn’t answer at once. He was considering -Muscles’ idea. “You make it sound so easy. But I don’t -know. Give me a little time to think it over.”</p> -<p>“We can take off at dusk tonight.”</p> -<p>“I haven’t said we would yet, Muscles. I’ll let you -know.”</p> -<p>Muscles glowered at Jack and pounded one huge -fist into the palm of his other hamlike hand.</p> -<p class="tb">Biff didn’t hesitate. This was real trouble. If he -didn’t get to his friend at once, Chuba might go under -for good. Finding him beneath the surface of the -muddy river would be impossible. Biff’s body split the -air as he dived toward the sinking Chuba. Powerful -strokes of his arms pulled Biff swiftly through the water. -He reached Chuba.</p> -<p>“Take it easy. Take it easy, Chuba. I’ve got you. -You’ll be all right. Don’t fight me.”</p> -<p>Biff crooked his left arm around Chuba’s neck.</p> -<p>“Just lie on your back, Chuba. I’ll do the rest.”</p> -<p>At Biff’s words Chuba stopped thrashing. He forced -himself to relax, buoyed both in body and spirit by the -firmness of Biff’s arm.</p> -<p>Slowly, with a one-armed backstroke, Biff towed -the native boy toward the shore. The current slackened -below the falls, making Biff’s task possible. Foot -by foot, Biff propelled himself and Chuba toward the -riverbank. At long last, he felt one of his kicking feet -touch bottom.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_104">104</div> -<p>“Okay, Chuba. I think you can stand up here. Try -it.”</p> -<p>Chuba’s feet touched bottom. The two boys staggered -through the shallow water to safety. Chuba -stretched out on the bank, gasping and trembling.</p> -<p>“You save my life, Biff. How can Chuba ever thank -you?”</p> -<p>“Skip the thanks, Chuba. You’ve done plenty for -me. And I know you’ll do plenty more. But how come -you never learned to swim?”</p> -<p>“Not many Chinese boys swim. Not in rivers where -I grow up. Crocodiles.”</p> -<p>“I get it. Too dangerous.”</p> -<p>Chuba nodded his head.</p> -<p>“Look, Chuba. You rest here. I’ve got to get the -boat. All our supplies are in it.”</p> -<p>Biff jumped up and ran along the bank downstream. -The boat was drifting slowly, lazily toward the bank. -Biff plunged back into the water. He reached the boat, -pulled himself in over the side, and rowed to shore. -Chuba had moved down the bank, and waded out to -grab the boat’s bow. He pulled it up on the bank.</p> -<p>Half an hour later the boys reembarked. For the -rest of the day they traveled in smooth water. By -dark, they reached Sundhiango, last stop of their river -voyage.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_105">105</div> -<p>From Sundhiango they headed northwest, toward -the foothills of Mt. Minya Konka, west of Chungking -and Chengtu. Once clear of the river city, the boys -moved along a dirt road until weariness overtook them. -Off the road, they built a small fire, ate a mixture of -flour and rice Chuba dreamed up, and then slept.</p> -<p>In the morning, Chuba inspected Biff carefully.</p> -<p>“What’s the matter?” Biff demanded.</p> -<p>“You almost America boy again. More like fish -called carp, though. All streaky.”</p> -<p>“What do you mean?”</p> -<p>“Your swims in river. Make betel juice fade. You -look at self. We got to make you Chinese beggar -boy again.”</p> -<p>Chuba took out his bottle of juice, and smeared -Biff’s body and face. “Now, all good again. We move -out.”</p> -<p>“And up,” Biff said, looking toward the mountains.</p> -<p>By late afternoon, Biff and Chuba reached a town -in the foothills. They had been climbing steadily all -day. Several times Biff had to swallow to clear the -pressure in his ears, brought on by the higher altitude.</p> -<p>“You have some money, Biff?” Chuba asked.</p> -<p>“Yep. Got a bunch of Burmese rupees. Can you -spend them in China?”</p> -<p>“Spend them like you say like water. Rupees much -good. Better than Chinese money. Chinese money now -called <i>jin min piao</i>. Takes many <i>jins</i> to make one -rupee.”</p> -<p>Biff dug into his bundle and brought out several -coins. “This enough?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_106">106</div> -<p>“Is plenty. We go into town to market. Chuba buy -some food. You like dried fish? Lichee nuts good, too.”</p> -<p>“Ugh. I’d rather have a hot dog.”</p> -<p>“Ah, hot dog?” Chuba nodded wisely. “Muscles tell -me in America you eat the dogs but like them hot.”</p> -<p>“By the millions, Chuba. Especially at baseball -games. But not the kind that bark.”</p> -<p>“Not real dogs?”</p> -<p>“Nope. These are sort of like a sausage—shaped like -sausage. You know sausage?”</p> -<p>Chuba nodded his head. “Oh sure, stuffed with rice, -shark fins, and sesame seeds, is real tasty.” Biff -shrugged. Might as well give up. Chuba would just -have to eat a genuine frankfurter some day.</p> -<p>The boys walked on to the edge of the town. Biff -stopped before they passed through the gate. “Hold it -a minute, Chuba. Something I want to ask you.”</p> -<p>Biff had decided to make the first move toward -locating his Uncle Charlie. He considered showing -Chuba the green ring. Should he do so now, or hold -on to it for an ace in the hole, for a time when the -ring might be the means of getting them out of a -really tough jam. He’d wait.</p> -<p>“What you want to ask Chuba?”</p> -<p>“I want to know if you ever heard of a big and -well-known Chinese family. It was called the House -of Kwang.” Biff studied the native boy’s face.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_107">107</div> -<p>“Sure. Chuba hear about them. Once they rich. Big -rich. Own many, many acres for wheat fields. Many -many acres for rice. They own big grain sheds where -other people bring wheat and rice to sell them for to -store it. But now no more rice. Not rich and powerful -any more. Revolution and new government get rid -of all big landowners.”</p> -<p>“Did the House of Kwang have any property, any -acres around here?”</p> -<p>“No own acres here. But once they own big warehouse, -like I say, for to buy and sell wheat and rice -and all kinds clothes and things.”</p> -<p>“Here in this town?”</p> -<p>Chuba nodded his head.</p> -<p>“Well, look, Chuba. I think maybe my Uncle -Charlie came into this part of China because of something -he had to do with the House of Kwang. I don’t -know exactly what. Do you think any members of -that family would be around here?”</p> -<p>Chuba thought about Biff’s question. “I don’t know, -Biff. But can find out. Although family no longer -strong and rich, Chuba has heard they still stick close -together. Help each other out. If one member of family -get in bad with government bosses, others get him -out if he put in prison.”</p> -<p>“Okay. That’s what I wanted to know from you. -When we get to the market, think you could ask some -questions without giving us away? I mean without letting -the people you ask know that we’re in here looking -for Uncle Charlie?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_108">108</div> -<p>“Think so, Biff. I ask if anyone hear about big bird—American -bird with much roaring noise. Lots people -in this part of China still call airplane big bird.”</p> -<p>“If you find anyone who seems to have the kind of -information we’re looking for, see if there’s any talk -about a plane cracking up around here. I feel sure Uncle -Charlie would have come back long ago if there -weren’t something wrong with his plane.”</p> -<p>“You trust Chuba, Biff. He find out everythings.”</p> -<p>The boys passed the gate of the walled town. This -town was the largest one they had yet gone through. -The dirty streets again were filled with people milling -back and forth. Children stared at them wide-eyed -and curious. Dogs darted in and out, looking for scraps -of food. Pigs roamed the streets, paying no more attention -to the people than the people did to them.</p> -<p>Biff could tell they were nearing the market place. -His nose knew. Inside the market, an open-air market -filling one long block, the boys passed booths selling -everything from hot soups to shiny silks. Strings of -garlic hung on racks in all the food booths. The Chinese -chew garlic the way Americans chew gum. -Small cakes made of chopped vegetables and fruits -were piled high on trays. There were fried peanuts and -sugar-covered orange peels. Strings of dried fish swung -in the air. Smoked ducks were suspended by their -necks from long, slender bamboo rods.</p> -<p>Chuba made several purchases. Biff, having to remain -silent, was unable to protest against some of the -foods Chuba added to his cloth sack. But he knew -he’d have to be mighty hungry to eat them.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_109">109</div> -<p>At one booth, where Chuba made several purchases, -the native boy had a long talk with the owner. During -the conversation, Chuba once extended his arms -straight from his sides, and gave out with a sound -like an airplane engine, an engine that sputtered.</p> -<p>The Chinese only shook his head.</p> -<p>The boys walked along. “I think he know something, -but no tell me,” Chuba said quietly. “When first -I ask about big bird, a look on his face tell me he has -heard of something. But when I ask more, and become -airplane myself, he say no, he hear of nothing. I ask -more people.”</p> -<p>Biff tagged along, silent, watchful, amazed at many -of the strange things sold in the market. He saw a -goose egg and watched a shopper haggle with the -owner over its price. Later, Chuba told him the egg -was four years old and uncooked.</p> -<p>“Most delicious,” Chuba said.</p> -<p>Biff shuddered.</p> -<p>Every store sold dried watermelon seeds. Chuba -bought some, gave a handful to Biff. Biff chewed on -them, but found little taste to the small morsel inside -the shell.</p> -<p>It had become dark. Flares lighted the market place. -Chuba turned to Biff, a discouraged look on his face. -“Buying things fine. Finding out about Sahib Charlie -not fine. Chuba learn nothing.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_110">110</div> -<p>The boys retraced their steps back to the city gates. -Again they were going to sleep in the open. Biff much -preferred this to sleeping on the floor of an airless -room.</p> -<p>Just as they passed through the gate, a figure came -out of the shadows. He touched Chuba on the arm -and in a hissing whisper, spoke into the boy’s ear.</p> -<p>“Man say for me to come back with him. Maybe -can help me. Say I must come alone. You stay right -here, Biff. Chuba be all right. Be back quick.” Chuba -and the stranger headed back toward the market.</p> -<p>But Chuba didn’t come back quickly. The minutes -seemed to drag along. Biff was becoming worried. He -had just about made up his mind to seek Chuba out -when he saw his friend running toward him.</p> -<p>Chuba was breathless, more from excitement than -from his short run.</p> -<p>“Chuba has news. Big news. Man takes me back to -another fellow. This other fellow much wise. Say he -hear big American plane make force landing. Near -mountains. Maybe fifty miles from here.”</p> -<p>“Did he tell you how long ago, Chuba?”</p> -<p>Chuba nodded his head up and down rapidly. “He -say maybe three, maybe four weeks ago.”</p> -<p>“Hey. That <i>is</i> good news. That could be Uncle -Charlie. Did he know what happened to the pilot? -Was he hurt?”</p> -<p>“I ask that. But fellow say he don’t know.”</p> -<p>Biff was thoughtful for a few moments. “It’s a good -lead, Chuba. You know which way to go?”</p> -<p>“Sure. Fellow tell Chuba.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_111">111</div> -<p>“Seems to me this fellow told you a lot. I wonder -why. Particularly since no one else seemed to know -what you were talking about.”</p> -<p>“I don’t know, Biff. Fellow very nice. But funny-looking -fellow.”</p> -<p>“What do you mean, funny looking?”</p> -<p>“One eye closed like door. No see out of it. Fellow -have only one good eye.”</p> -<p>Biff’s thoughts raced back to the Chinese passenger -on the plane from Indianapolis to Chicago—a Chinese -with a drooping eyelid.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_112">112</div> -<h2 id="c14"><span class="small">CHAPTER XIV</span> -<br />The Circling Plane</h2> -<p>The next day, in a small village of only a few mud -and thatched houses, Chuba continued his inquiries. -This time, the second man he asked told of having -heard of a big bird “roar like the thunders of heaven.” -It had been seen coming down in the mountains.</p> -<p>In mid-afternoon of the second day after leaving the -market town, Chuba came up with more definite information. -He was told that a flying man had come -down in the foothills near a police outpost called -Jaraminka.</p> -<p>Chuba was elated by the news that now seemed to -be coming to them so easily.</p> -<p>“Too easily,” Biff said.</p> -<p>“How you mean, Biff?”</p> -<p>“I’m not sure, Chuba. But it seems strange to me -that everyone seems to be helping us along. It’s as if -we’re being guided to this certain place.”</p> -<p>“That is not good?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_113">113</div> -<p>Biff shook his head. “It’s too good. It could be a -trap. I’m pretty sure now that someone has spotted -me, or at least, knows I’m in this part of China.”</p> -<p>“How could they know that? You look like Chinese -boy, not like American Biff Brewster.”</p> -<p>Biff didn’t reply at once. He was thinking. He was -thinking that by asking questions about the House of -Kwang, about a downed flyer, someone’s curiosity had -been aroused. Someone was very interested in his -search for Charles Keene. Otherwise, how had it been -so easy to get the information Chuba had been given?</p> -<p>Biff also felt sure that the person, or persons, responsible -for feeding Chuba directional information -must know that it was he, Biff Brewster, who was in -China. He couldn’t drive from his mind the picture of -the Chinese with the drooping eyelid. Chuba’s description -of the man with one eye fitted too closely.</p> -<p>“Chuba, I think we’re definitely being led into a -trap. Someone is leading us to the place where my uncle -is. It may be friends. It may be members of the -House of Kwang. But, it also may be enemies of my -uncle. They may be holding my uncle prisoner, and -want to capture me, too. Don’t ask me why, I don’t -know all the answers. But I’ve got a hunch.”</p> -<p>“If we being led into trap like poor little goat into -dragon’s mouth, maybe we better stop. Maybe go different -way. Maybe better give Jaraminka the by-go,” -Chuba suggested.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_114">114</div> -<p>Biff smiled. “No, we won’t give Jaraminka the ‘go-by.’ -We’ll let ourselves be led into—or up to the trap. -It’s our only chance of finding my uncle. We don’t -have any other leads. But maybe we can get right up -to the trap and avoid having it sprung on us.”</p> -<p>The boys climbed a narrowing mountain trail -higher into the foothills. Nightfall found them in a -wild, desolate spot. No lights could be seen in any -direction they looked. At the altitude they had -reached, a chill came with the night air.</p> -<p>Chuba hurried about searching for dried, dead -wood. He heaped up a large pile.</p> -<p>“Think it’s safe to build a fire?” Biff asked.</p> -<p>“Sure. Much safe. Better to have fire and be warm. -Better also to have fire to keep mountain bears and -wild pigs away. Anyway, who want to catch two -boys?”</p> -<p>“I don’t know, Chuba. I don’t know,” Biff replied.</p> -<p>The fire was soon blazing, sending out its friendly -warmth and brightening the wild spot where the boys -had decided to pitch their camp. Chuba had water -boiling in a small can, ready for the rice which had become -their nightly meal—rice, with some of the -strange foods Chuba had purchased stirred in it.</p> -<p>“Chow, Biff. We eat. I way out hungry, man.”</p> -<p>Chuba started ladling out the steaming dish.</p> -<p>“Hold it a minute, Chuba. Hear anything?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_115">115</div> -<p>Chuba raised his head. Both boys tensed. From far -away, to the south, there came a low hum, not much -louder than the buzz of a bee. As the boys listened, -the hum grew louder and more distinct. A minute -passed. There was no mistaking the sound now.</p> -<p>“It’s a plane, Chuba! A plane!”</p> -<p>“Maybe Sahib Charlie,” Chuba shouted.</p> -<p>“Look! Look!” Biff was on his feet, pointing. Now -the plane was in sight against the darkening sky. It -was coming low. Its green starboard wing light and -red port wing light were flashing alternately on and -off, on and off.</p> -<p>The plane seemed to be coming directly at them, -as if attracted moth-like to their bright fire. It -swooped over the boys, so low they both involuntarily -ducked. Then the plane circled, roared back -over them, and then disappeared over a low ridge to -the west. The sound of its twin engines died away.</p> -<p>“I’d bet you anything that was a Cessna. Like the -job that brought me to Unhao from Rangoon,” Biff -said, his voice filled with excitement.</p> -<p>“You mean like plane that Muscles fix for sahibs -back at camp?”</p> -<p>“That’s right, Chuba. Can’t be sure, though.”</p> -<p>“Maybe was scouting plane of army. Maybe was -spying on us,” Chuba said.</p> -<p>Biff’s spirits sank. Chuba could be right.</p> -<p>“Think we better get out of here then? Find another -place and hide?”</p> -<p>“Might be good idea, Biff. Hate to leave nice warm -fire, though.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_116">116</div> -<p>“And I’d hate to leave just in case that was a plane -from Unhao, looking for us. Or, as you said, it just -could be Uncle Charlie.”</p> -<p>The boys sat down by the fire. Biff ate his food -slowly. The minutes became an hour. Another hour -passed. Chuba had curled up in his long cloak, and was -sound asleep. Biff looked at the sleeping boy, and felt -a yawn stretching over his face.</p> -<p>He stirred the fire, pulled his long cloak firmly -about him, and curled up too. He didn’t think he -could sleep—his mind was too filled with thoughts -about the plane. But Biff’s resistance to sleep was -mostly in his mind, not in his body. Tired—he always -seemed tired these days—he dropped off to sleep in -seconds.</p> -<p>How long he slept, Biff didn’t know. But he did -know that something had awakened him. He opened -his eyes. He listened. He thought he heard a sound -just behind a nearby stunted tree.</p> -<p>“Chuba.” He poked his companion. “Chuba, wake -up.”</p> -<p>Chuba stirred, rolled over, and opened his eyes to -look into Biff’s face. “What is it, Biff?”</p> -<p>“I think somebody’s watching us. From just outside -the ring of the fire’s light.”</p> -<p>Both boys remained silent. Nothing happened. Then -the sound came again. Someone, or something, was -certainly watching them. Biff could hear his own heart -beat. He looked in the direction of the sound. A huge -figure stepped from behind the tree. As it walked toward -the fire, its dancing shadow became that of a giant.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_117">117</div> -<p>“Well, fancy meeting you here!” the giant said.</p> -<p>“Muscles!”</p> -<p>The boys jumped to their feet. The giant mechanic, -a big grin splitting his face, strode up to the fire. Biff -and Chuba leaped on him, pounding him on the back.</p> -<p>“Easy boys. Easy. I’m footsore and bone-tired from -walking over these here mountains. Never had anything -like them back in good old Kentucky.”</p> -<p>“How’d you get here? Was that your plane? Who -was flying it? Where’d you land? Is my uncle safe?” -Biff’s questions shot out in a rapid-fire burst.</p> -<p>“Easy, Biff. Easy. One at a time. Now I’ll try to -answer your quiz program. No word from your uncle. -Yep, that was me in that plane that flew over -here a coupla hours ago. Jack Hudson was flying her. -We touched down just long enough for me to hop -out. Jack’s almost back to Unhao by now. Now how -’bout a spot of China tea? I’m tired and hungry.”</p> -<p>“Me fix, Muscles. Right away. Chop. Chop.” Chuba -got busy. More wood went on the fire. Out came the -all-purpose can, this time to boil water for Muscles’ -tea.</p> -<p>“Now what about you two? Give me a fill-in.”</p> -<p>Biff quickly sketched the happenings since he and -Chuba had slipped out of the camp at Unhao.</p> -<p>“So you think someone’s spotted you?” Muscles -asked.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_118">118</div> -<p>“I’m sure of it. Someone sure knows Uncle Charlie’s -being looked for. We’ve been getting more information -than they hand out at Grand Central -Station in New York.”</p> -<p>“And you’ve been told that a plane came down -near a place called Jaraminka.”</p> -<p>Biff nodded his head.</p> -<p>“How far is that place from here?”</p> -<p>“Not far,” Chuba replied. “Maybe a day’s walk. If -we start early in morning.... Here’s your tea.”</p> -<p>Muscles took the hot liquid. “Well then, Jaraminka, -here we come.”</p> -<p>As Muscles sipped his tea, he told the boys about -landing on a cleared, level plateau over a ridge of the -Thanglung foothills to the west.</p> -<p>“Not too far from here,” Muscles looked at his -watch. “Took me about two hours to walk back -to this fire we spotted from the air. We couldn’t be -sure, of course, but we hoped it would be you boys. -I guess I must have walked almost straight up and -down farther than I walked straight ahead to get -here.”</p> -<p>“And Jack went back?” Biff asked.</p> -<p>“Yep. But we’ve got it all fixed. When we find -Charlie, we’re to make our way back to that plateau. -I’ve got a portable transmitter with me. When we get -there, I make a signal. Jack flies in, and it’s back to Unhao -we go.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_119">119</div> -<p>Muscles made it sound so simple. Biff felt good as -he listened to the big man talk so confidently. But -there were lots of “ifs”—if they found Charles Keene, -if they got back to the plateau, if the signal was heard -on time, if Jack could come back in. Biff shook his -head. It was good to have big Muscles with them, -though. In any trouble, Muscles had a lot of weight to -throw around.</p> -<p>“Now suppose we catch some more of that stuff -called shut-eye—sleep to you, Chuba, and be up and -at ’em early in the ayem.”</p> -<p>“Chuba catch plenty eye-shut, Sahib Muscles. Tomorrow -going to be big days.”</p> -<p>Eye-shut! The two words reminded Biff of the Chinese -with the drooping eyelid.</p> -<p>The two boys and the man stretched out by the fire -and slept. At daybreak, Muscles stirred. He rubbed -the sleep from his eyes and sat up.</p> -<p>“Hey!” he exclaimed. “Looks like we’ve got visitors.”</p> -<p>Biff and Chuba sat up quickly. Standing silently, -forming a ring surrounding the three and the dying -embers of the fire, were eight of the fiercest looking -men Biff had ever seen.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_120">120</div> -<h2 id="c15"><span class="small">CHAPTER XV</span> -<br />Bandits!</h2> -<p>Biff shot a quick look at Chuba. He wanted to see his -friend’s reaction to the startling appearance of these -men who looked as if they had sprung from the age of -primitive man. Good? Bad? Chuba would know.</p> -<p>Chuba’s eyes roved over the group. He turned his -head quickly from man to man, turning around to -complete the circle. A frown on the native boy’s face -gave Biff his answer. Chuba was worried.</p> -<p>“Man, oh, man! Did you ever see anything like -that bunch?” Muscles asked. “They’re from way out -of nowhere.”</p> -<p>There was every reason for Muscles to be amazed. -The men were small but squat and powerfully built. -Their eyes were slanted in broad, dirty faces, the -color of stained copper. Wide, cruel mouths turned -down on either side. Scraggly strands of wiry hair -sprouted from ragged caps made of mangy fur.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_121">121</div> -<p>Their legs were wrapped in rags. Coats, if they -could be called coats, were made of skins of wild animals, -mountain goats, deer. One of the men wore the -skin of the Himalayan black bear.</p> -<p>They stood in silence, their small, beady eyes -watching for any move on the part of Muscles and the -boys. Two of the men held short, thick clubs in their -hands. Another held a long stick. Biff noticed that on -the end a wicked knife had been attached by thongs. -Others held long, gleaming curved knives in their -hands. Only one man carried a gun, a short, two barreled -shotgun. It was an old gun. Someone had sawed -off the barrel. It could deal out body-ripping shots at -short range.</p> -<p>“Who are they, Chuba?” Biff asked.</p> -<p>“You mean <i>what</i> are they?” Muscles cut in.</p> -<p>“Bandits. Chinese bandits,” Chuba replied. “They -bad. Very bad.”</p> -<p>“They’re not soldiers, then. Not members of any -patrol?”</p> -<p>Chuba shook his head. “No. Much worse. These -people roam the hills and mountains. They steal, kill. -They like wild men. Sometimes come into town, but -most times, live like tribe, sleep in caves, eat anything -they can kill.”</p> -<p>“What do they want with us?” Biff asked.</p> -<p>“Rob us. Maybe kill us if we try to fight.”</p> -<p>“Huh. Some chance,” Muscles cut in again. “Why, -I can take on that whole gang single-handed.” Muscles -towered over the bandits. He was bigger, and -weighed more than any two of the bandits together.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_122">122</div> -<p>“Not so sure, Muscles,” Chuba said quietly. “These -men fight and kill bears, tigers. Only use their -knives.”</p> -<p>“Only guy that worries me is that one with the -sawed-off shotgun,” Muscles decided.</p> -<p>“Why don’t they say something, Chuba? What are -they waiting for?” Biff asked.</p> -<p>Chuba shrugged his shoulders.</p> -<p>“Can’t they talk? Can you understand their language?”</p> -<p>“They talk, sure. But be hard for Chuba to understand -them. They speak what you call tribe dialect. -Some Chinese words. Some words only they know.”</p> -<p>“Can they understand you?”</p> -<p>“Sure. They understand most Chinese talk. Not all -words. But enough.”</p> -<p>“Ask them what they want.”</p> -<p>Chuba swallowed. He directed a rapid string of -Chinese words at the man carrying the gun.</p> -<p>The gun carrier grunted and spoke in a deep, guttural -voice to the man beside him.</p> -<p>“Did you get that, Chuba?”</p> -<p>Chuba shook his head.</p> -<p>The gun carrier took one step forward. He looked -Muscles carefully up and down. Next his eyes swept -over Biff. Then he spoke, turning his eyes on Chuba. -He spoke slowly. Sometimes moments of silence -would appear between his spaced words.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_123">123</div> -<p>“He says they want all things we have. Gun man -speaker says he wants clothes of the giant man.”</p> -<p>“My clothes! Fat chance,” Muscles snarled.</p> -<p>The bandit spoke again.</p> -<p>“He says open up bundles. He wants to see what -we have.”</p> -<p>Biff knelt down. His and Chuba’s bulky bundles -were together. Biff started untying the nearest one, -which happened to be Chuba’s.</p> -<p>“If we give them our things, will they let us alone?” -Biff asked.</p> -<p>“Chuba can’t say. Maybe so so. Maybe no. Maybe -they give us this.” Chuba brought his hand swiftly -across his throat. Biff felt a sickening sensation in his -stomach.</p> -<p>Feeling around in Chuba’s bundle, Biff’s hand struck -an oblong object. It felt like a box. Biff carefully -lifted the cloth from which the bundle was made. He -raised it so that the bandits would be unable to see -what the box was. If the situation hadn’t been such a -dangerous one, Biff would have laughed. Chuba had -brought with him his Evil Spirit Box—the one Muscles -had frightened Chuba with the first morning Biff -was in camp.</p> -<p>Touching the box, an idea came into Biff’s head.</p> -<p>“Chuba, quick! Tell me more about these bandits. -Are they superstitious? I mean, frightened by strange -things, things they’ve never seen before?”</p> -<p>“Much afraid. Big fear of spirits.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_124">124</div> -<p>Biff nodded his head. “I’ve got an idea. Think we -could scare them with your Evil Spirit Box?”</p> -<p>Excitement danced in Chuba’s eyes. “They be -scared like crazy. More scared than Chuba was.”</p> -<p>“Okay. We’ll try it. Now you tell them something -like this. Tell them we are protected by magic of the -gods. The evil spirit will put its hand on them unless -they let us go. They are not to bother us. Make it -good. Bow down and stuff like that. Look to the sky -and make like you’re calling the spirit.”</p> -<p>“Chuba catch wise. Make big show.”</p> -<p>“Okay. Now, at some point when you’re putting on -your act, when the bandits are all looking at you, I’ll -yell ‘Fly!’ When I do, I’ll toss your spirit box into the -air. You swing around and catch it. I’ll have it started. -You hold it up high when the siren’s going. Then -place it on the ground and jump back when the hand -comes out. Tell them that’s the hand of the evil spirit, -reaching out to touch them.”</p> -<p>Chuba was grinning now. Muscles stood there, -hands on hips, shaking his head. Chuba turned back to -the bandit leader. He hunched up his shoulders. He -twisted his face into an ugly leer. Then he began -speaking. He spoke at first in a sing-song voice. He -spoke faster and faster, raising his voice higher. He -dropped down and touched the ground three times -with his head. Up he leaped, extending his arms skyward.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_125">125</div> -<p>Chuba was putting on a good show. Biff watched -the faces of the bandits closely. There was no expression, -yet their eyes followed every movement Chuba -made.</p> -<p>Biff took the spirit box out. No one saw him. Even -Muscles was fascinated by Chuba’s writhing, his sing-song -chanting. Biff touched the button activating the -box.</p> -<p>“Fly!” he called out. He tossed the box in the air, -high enough so that as it came down over Chuba’s -head, it almost appeared to be falling from the sky.</p> -<p>Chuba caught the box deftly. Again he spoke to the -bandits. He raised the box high over his head, just as -the first faint whine of the siren began. The siren’s -scream rose higher and higher. Quickly Chuba placed -the box on the ground and stepped back. The lid of -the box slowly opened.</p> -<p>Biff looked again at the bandits. The faces without -expression now looked curious, then terrified.</p> -<p>The lid of the box raised. The plastic hand snaked -out.</p> -<p>Stark terror now seized the bandits. They cringed -back. One of them, unable to stand it any longer, -turned, broke, and ran. He was followed by another -and another. Only the leader remained, staring at the -spirit box as if spellbound.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_126">126</div> -<p>Muscles went into action. He dived for the box. He -snatched it from the ground, turned, and with the -box extended in his outstretched hands, he moved toward -the bandit chief. This was too much. With a horrified -shriek, the bandit chief turned and raced down -the slope after his companions. All were running as if -they were really pursued by demons.</p> -<p>Muscles quickly reset the box, so that the scream of -the siren, rising to its highest pitch, seemed to be following -close to the bandits’ ears.</p> -<p>Muscles put the box back on the ground. He -slapped his huge thighs, threw back his head, and -roared with laughter. Biff and Chuba joined him. All -three laughed until they sank to the ground, their -voices shaking as they tried to talk.</p> -<p>Finally, Muscles heaved his shoulders and took a -deep breath. “Ever see anything like that? Those guys -were really scared. Took off like jet fighters. When I -think that I sent to the States for that fool toy to scare -Chuba, well....”</p> -<p>“Never knew it was going to save your life, did -you? Still think twenty dollars was too much for it?” -Biff said, trying to control his laughter.</p> -<p>“I level with you now, Muscles. I real scared first -time I see spirit box,” Chuba confessed.</p> -<p>“But those guys! They really did think the Evil -Spirit was going to put the hand on them,” Muscles -said.</p> -<p>“Here’s one time I’m glad you can’t tell good from -evil,” Biff said.</p> -<p>“Think they’ll come back, Chuba?” Muscles asked.</p> -<p>“Never. They really gone. Give us the big go-round -now. Not ever want to see us and box again.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_127">127</div> -<p>“The spirit really moved them, eh, Biff?” Muscles -said.</p> -<p>Biff laughed, but Muscles’ joke was over Chuba’s -head.</p> -<p>It was almost broad daylight now. The sun was rising. -Biff stood up. “We’d better get going. Maybe we -can reach Jaraminka by nightfall.”</p> -<p>“Okay by me,” Muscles agreed. “Let’s make with -the feet, Chuba.”</p> -<p>Biff looked northward. Nestled somewhere in the -foothills of the Thanglung mountains was the outpost -of Jaraminka. Uncle Charlie might be there. He might -be the bait being used to bring Biff and his companions -into a trap.</p> -<p>It was a risk they would have to take.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_128">128</div> -<h2 id="c16"><span class="small">CHAPTER XVI</span> -<br />Strange Discovery</h2> -<p>In the distance, perhaps a hundred miles away, the -towering peak of Mt. Minya Konka, reaching 25,000 -feet skyward, could be seen. The day was clear, -crystal-blue clear. The air was chill and would remain -so until the sun’s rays bore down more strongly.</p> -<p>“You better take the lead, Chuba,” Muscles said. -“Off we go, searching for Ja-ra-mink-a.” He sang -his last sentence to the tune of the Air Force song, -“Into the Wild Blue Yonder.”</p> -<p>“Hold it a minute,” Biff said. “You know, if we -head straight for Jaraminka, we might be walking -right into the hands of the enemy. Wouldn’t they expect -us to take the most direct route?”</p> -<p>“You got something there, Biff, m’boy. What’re -you cooking?” Muscles asked.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_129">129</div> -<p>“I think we should head west, west northwest, -rather than due north. Head for Minya Konka. Then, -when we’ve gone further inland, cut back north -and make our approach to Jaraminka from the west.”</p> -<p>“Good idea, Biff. Let’s move out.”</p> -<p>The three trudged westward, climbing, climbing. -Big, craggy rocks dotted the sides of the slopes they -scrambled up. Often they had to make wide detours -to get around a cliff that rose straight up.</p> -<p>After two hours of scrambling, slipping, struggling -against the rugged terrain, Muscles called a halt.</p> -<p>“We’d better take a break.” The rarefied air of the -altitude had all three panting for breath. At Muscles’ -words, Biff and Chuba sank to the ground without a -word. Muscles flung himself to the ground beside -them. Slowly their breathing became more even, -strength flowed back into their bodies.</p> -<p>Muscles sat up, pulled out a cigarette. He lit it, took -three deep puffs and tossed it away.</p> -<p>“Burns my lungs at this altitude. How far you figure -we’ve gone, kids?”</p> -<p>“Like you said last night. If we measure the ups and -downs, then we’ve covered quite a distance. But I -doubt if we’ve covered more than five miles straight -away,” Biff answered, and Chuba nodded in agreement.</p> -<p>“That plateau where Jack landed me must be just a -short distance south of here. I’m making landmarks so -we can spot the place when we come back,” Muscles -explained.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_130">130</div> -<p>Biff looked the area over carefully, too. Two peaks -rose straight up, miles apart. A smaller peak was centered -exactly between the two taller ones.</p> -<p>“Just like the letter ‘W,’” Biff said to himself. He -would remember that.</p> -<p>“Think we better turn north now, Biff?” Muscles -said. “Be lot easier traveling. Faster, too. We’ll be -moving along the valley. Not so much of this up and -down stuff. Particularly the up. I’ve had enough of -that. I’ll take my climbing in a plane.”</p> -<p>“I guess so, Muscles. We’ll head up the valley, now, -Chuba,” Biff directed.</p> -<p>They set off again. Traveling was easier. They -moved along briskly. The air was becoming warmer, -and soon the floor of the valley sent up shimmering -heat waves in front of them.</p> -<p>Except for brief pauses, no one called for a break -until Muscles looked at his watch.</p> -<p>“It’s noon. How about a breather and something to -eat?”</p> -<p>Chuba broke out his supply of food—his “goodies,” -Biff had named them.</p> -<p>“This is food?” Muscles asked skeptically, looking -at the portion Chuba handed him. He ate it, but his -face twisted comically as he tasted and then quickly -gulped the food.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_131">131</div> -<p>After a half-hour rest, during which Muscles complained -bitterly about the menu, they were ready to -continue. Their progress up the valley continued -smoothly for the first hour. Rounding a sharp bend, -the valley came to an abrupt end.</p> -<p>“Now what’s this little obstacle placed in our -path?” Muscles asked.</p> -<p>“Wish it were just a <i>little</i> obstacle,” Biff replied. -Directly ahead of them, the ground angled sharply upward. -Above, it leveled off like the outside rim of a -giant football stadium.</p> -<p>“We go right or we go left, Chuba?” Muscles asked.</p> -<p>“We’ll go straight up,” Biff replied. “Let’s see what’s -on top. Surely can’t tell from here. After we take a -look-see, we’ll probably bear to the right. Jaraminka -must be off that way.” Biff pointed slightly to the -northeast. “Think so, Chuba?”</p> -<p>Chuba nodded his head.</p> -<p>They mounted toward the rim at the top of the -sharp incline. In places, the ground rose so sharply -they had to pull themselves up, grabbing the stunted -trees for handholds.</p> -<p>Nearing the top, they ran into a barrier that stopped -them cold. This was a man-made obstacle, the last -thing to expect in this wild, remote country. It was a -heavy, metal-barred fence. It stood higher than Muscles’ -head, and three strands of ugly barbed wire were -stretched along the top.</p> -<p>“What the—” Muscles’ eyes bugged out in astonishment.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_132">132</div> -<p>The fence stretched out to the right and left in a -long curve. The ground was cleared on both sides of -the fence, forming a path easy to walk along.</p> -<p>“This we have to find out about,” Biff said. “Why -fence in a mountain top unless there’s something inside -that’s top secret?”</p> -<p>“That fence could be electrified. Stay clear of it,” -Muscles warned.</p> -<p>“Could be,” Biff said, “but I doubt it. It would take -a lot of power to do it. Besides, where would the -power come from? Let’s follow it, to the right. But -be alert. Good fences don’t mean good neighbors -here. I’ve a hunch these good fences mean good -guards every few feet.”</p> -<p>They followed the curving fence cautiously and on -the alert. Biff took the lead. They continued until Biff -figured they had covered ninety degrees of a gigantic -circle. The fence remained an equal distance from the -rim at the top as they followed the path.</p> -<p>“Hold it!” Biff held up his hand. Then he motioned -Muscles and Chuba forward.</p> -<p>“Look,” Biff pointed to a gap, wide enough and -deep enough for a man’s body to slip beneath the -fence.</p> -<p>“Some animal must have been as curious as we are,” -Biff said. “Something burrowed under the fence.”</p> -<p>“Well, what are we waiting for?” Muscles grinned. -He dropped to his hands and knees and wiggled -through the opening. Chuba followed, and Biff -brought up the rear.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_133">133</div> -<p>Crouching low, the three approached the top of the -rise. They crawled the last few feet, reached the rim, -and raised their heads slowly. What they saw made -them all gasp.</p> -<p>They were looking into an immense bowl, covering -an area so great it was impossible to take it in with one -look. They pivoted their heads, following the rim of -the bowl.</p> -<p>The activity on the floor of the bowl made them -squint their eyes in disbelief. Everywhere they looked -they saw bulldozers, huge cranes, steam shovels, and -thousands of men working furiously. The bottom of -the bowl was so far away that the working men -seemed like small moving specks. The noises of the -steam shovels digging into the earth and the whines -of the huge crane arms turning on their metal discs -rose only dimly to the ears of the astonished spectators.</p> -<p>Toward the opposite side of the huge bowl, two cement -runways in the shape of a plus sign were dotted -with planes.</p> -<p>In still another section of the bowl, great steel trylons, -resembling oversized high-tension wire supporters, -reared skyward.</p> -<p>“What do you make of it?” Biff asked Muscles.</p> -<p>The burly mechanic scratched his head. “You got -me. Could be a lot of things. It’s got to be something -mighty important, something really top secret to build -this gigantic complex in this remote spot. And how did -they get all this stuff in here?” Muscles asked himself.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_134">134</div> -<p>“I think,” Biff said, “we’d better get <i>away</i> from -here—but fast.”</p> -<p>Muscles nodded in agreement. The three backed -down, reached the fence, scrambled beneath it, and -headed for Jaraminka.</p> -<p>Making as much speed as they could, they put distance -between themselves and their startling discovery. -Biff’s mind was filled with questions. Foremost among -them was one which kept coming back like an exam -question he couldn’t answer.</p> -<p>Did this tremendous, secret construction job have -anything to do with Uncle Charlie’s flight into China?</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_135">135</div> -<h2 id="c17"><span class="small">CHAPTER XVII</span> -<br />A Red Hot Lead</h2> -<p>Night overtook Biff, Chuba, and Muscles before -they reached Jaraminka. All were tired. The going in -the dark was rough. But Biff was determined to reach -the town before they halted.</p> -<p>“Another hour,” Biff said, “and if we haven’t gotten -there, we’ll hole in for the night.”</p> -<p>“Okay by me,” Muscles answered.</p> -<p>Chuba nodded his head.</p> -<p>They didn’t have to go for the full hour. Following -a narrow path, no more than a rough goat trail, they -rounded the side of a high pointed hill. From far below -their dangerous perch on the hillside, they saw -lights. Hundreds of lights, flickering like candles in a -breeze. It was a beautiful sight to come upon suddenly -in the night.</p> -<p>“Jaraminka,” Biff said, and looked at Chuba for -confirmation.</p> -<p>“You right, Biff. That Jaraminka.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_136">136</div> -<p>“It’s a lot bigger place than I thought it would be,” -Muscles put in.</p> -<p>“It’s in center of big, wide valley. Much good farm -lands. Many rich peoples once live here. Is nice in -summer. Not too hot.”</p> -<p>“How about the House of Kwang, Chuba? They -have any properties around Jaraminka?”</p> -<p>“Oh yes, Biff, always in summer time Old Lord and -family go to Jaraminka. Old Lord have big place here. -His big house still here, but Old Lord not own it any -more.”</p> -<p>“Chinese Commies run him out?” Muscles asked.</p> -<p>“You right, Muscles. They take over. Now this -place big, important outpost for Chinese Army.”</p> -<p>Why would the Chinese Army have a large installation -in such a wild, remote section of their big, sprawling -country? The answer came to Biff immediately. -That big, fenced-in construction job was not more -than ten miles away. That had to be the reason. Just -what was being built, though, still puzzled the boy.</p> -<p>“We’ll bed down here for the night,” Biff said, “and -go into the town early in the morning.”</p> -<p>“Real early, Biff,” Chuba said. “Soon as sun start -rising, farmers go into town to market place. Bring -things from farm to sell. We go in with them. People -think we farmers, too.”</p> -<p>“How about me?” Muscles asked. “I don’t look -like a Chinese farmer.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_137">137</div> -<p>Biff laughed. “Anything but.”</p> -<p>“You have to stay here. Guard our camp. We go -into town, find out things.”</p> -<p>“Okay by me. But say—be sure and leave me my -pal.”</p> -<p>“Your pal?” Biff asked.</p> -<p>“Yeah. My pal of protection—the spirit box.”</p> -<p>They all laughed, turned in and slept.</p> -<p>Early in the gray of morning, Biff and Chuba were -on the outskirts of the village. A stream of solemn-faced -farmers passed through the city’s gate. Chuba -and Biff attached themselves to the parade and entered -unnoticed.</p> -<p>Biff had reached a decision. If any member of the -House of Kwang could be located, he felt now would -be the time to use the green ring. Keeping his voice -low, he spoke to Chuba.</p> -<p>“Don’t ask any more questions about Uncle Charlie. -But find out, if you can, if there are any members of -the Kwang family around here.”</p> -<p>“I catch, Biff. If any Kwangs around, Chuba will locate -them.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_138">138</div> -<p>The boys wandered through the sprawling city. -They made for the market place, always the center of -the most activity. Going from stall to stall, Chuba -made his inquiries. He told the persons he questioned -that once he and his father had served the House of -Kwang. Now, he said, in a sad, tearful voice, he was -only a beggar boy. If he could only find one of the -young lords perhaps the lord would remember his father, -and give Chuba a helping hand.</p> -<p>At mid-morning, Chuba hit pay dirt. He engaged in -a long conversation with a young, slender Chinese. -This Chinese was different from the broad-faced -farmers, the stall-keepers, the uniformed soldiers who -thronged the market place. His facial features were -fine, his clothing cleaner and richer than that of those -surrounding him.</p> -<p>Biff watched Chuba anxiously. He saw his friend -bob his head up and down in agreement, then the two -parted.</p> -<p>Chuba rejoined Biff, motioned to him to follow, -and Chuba led the way back to the gates of the city. -Once outside, Chuba told Biff of his conversation.</p> -<p>“This man I talk to. His name Chan Li. Once he -young lord of house like House of Kwang. Not so -big. Not so rich. But House of Li and House of -Kwang good friends. House of Li taken over just -like House of Kwang. He hate government bosses.”</p> -<p>Biff felt himself becoming excited. This could be the -lead they had been searching for.</p> -<p>“Did you ask him if any members of the House of -Kwang were still in Jaraminka?”</p> -<p>“Chuba did. Chan Li say yes. He say he know many -things. But he say he must be very careful. Cannot -take us to where Kwang family in hide-out unless we -have proof we friends, not enemies, or police spies.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_139">139</div> -<p>Biff’s hand went inside his cloak. He felt for the -ring. This was it. The ring would bring the good fortune -it promised.</p> -<p>“What’s our next move?”</p> -<p>“We go back to where Muscles hiding. Then, -when sun stands straight up in sky over our heads, we -meet with Chan Li.”</p> -<p>“Where? Back in the city?”</p> -<p>“Oh, no. Too much risky. Remember, on our way -down to city, we come to little brook fed by spring?”</p> -<p>Biff nodded his head.</p> -<p>“We meet there. Come, we tell Muscles.”</p> -<p>Back with Muscles, the three held a council. Their -plans depended on what they would learn from Chan -Li. But how could Muscles be kept informed? It -wouldn’t do for him to attend the meeting.</p> -<p>“Maybe I could be there but not be seen,” Muscles -said. “Any cover near the spring where I could hide? -Maybe I could overhear what this Li character has to -offer.”</p> -<p>“I think so, Muscles. Come, we go down now and -see. Not too long before sun stand straight up.”</p> -<p>Near the spring, they found a heavy thicket where -Muscles could conceal himself.</p> -<p>“When you’re translating for Biff, raise your voice -slightly, Chuba. Not loud enough to cause suspicion, -but loud enough for me to hear.”</p> -<p>“Let’s have a dry run of that,” Biff suggested.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_140">140</div> -<p>Muscles concealed himself in the thicket. Chuba -talked to Biff in a tone slightly louder than normal.</p> -<p>“You hear all right, Muscles?” Biff asked.</p> -<p>“You’re coming through loud and clear,” was the -reply.</p> -<p>“How much time before noon?”</p> -<p>“Ten minutes,” Muscles called back.</p> -<p>Chuba spoke to Biff. “You stay here now. I go little -piece down hill, see if I can spot Chan Li coming up.” -Chuba left. Biff remained silent, not wanting to give -Muscles’ position away by talking to him any more.</p> -<p>In a few minutes Chuba returned. His face told Biff -the story.</p> -<p>“He’s coming. Be here real quick.”</p> -<p>“Is he alone?”</p> -<p>“He by himself.”</p> -<p>Good, Biff thought. If Chan Li acted suspiciously, -or tried any funny stuff, Muscles lay in waiting.</p> -<p>Chan Li came into the small clearing around the -spring. He bowed low to Chuba, then repeated the -gesture to Biff.</p> -<p>“He asks who you are, Biff,” Chuba translated.</p> -<p>“Tell him I am a friend of the House of Kwang. I -seek their help.”</p> -<p>Interpreter Chuba spoke swiftly.</p> -<p>“He says he needs proof of this. He must be sure -you are real true friend.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_141">141</div> -<p>It was now or never, Biff decided. He reached under -his cloak and took out his key chain. Turning his -back to Chuba and Chan Li, he took the ring off the -chain. Turning, he held it out. “Ask Chan Li if this is -proof enough?”</p> -<p>The slender Chinese stepped forward. He took the -ring from Biff’s hand. He inspected it carefully, then -replaced it in Biff’s hand.</p> -<p>“It is the ring of the Ancient One, the Old Lord of -the House of Kwang,” he said to Chuba. When Chuba -gave this information to Biff, his heart pounded with -excitement.</p> -<p>“Now tell him, Chuba, that we come here to find -my Uncle Charles, or to get any definite information -as to where he is.”</p> -<p>Chuba’s head went up and down. He spoke to Chan -Li. Their conversation went on and on. Biff’s anxiety -grew. Chan Li’s answer was all important.</p> -<p>At long last, much to Biff’s relief, the conversation -ended. It was a solemn-faced Chuba who turned to -Biff. “He has told me many things. Many things we -wanted to know.”</p> -<p>“Well, what are they? What are they?” Biff demanded -impatiently.</p> -<p>“He says Sahib Charles is being hidden from soldiers -by House of Kwang.”</p> -<p>“What!” Biff clapped his hands. He couldn’t contain -his joy. “Tell me more.”</p> -<p>“Chan Li says more, that Sahib Charles hurt self -when plane come down.”</p> -<p>Biff’s joyful feeling vanished. “Badly? Was he hurt -badly?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_142">142</div> -<p>“No. Not too bad. But enough to keep him from -traveling. Now he all better. All is arranged for -House of Kwang to help Sahib Charles get back to -Burma.”</p> -<p>“What can we do to help?”</p> -<p>“Chan Li will take us to hide-out place. We get -Sahib Charles, lead him back to—”</p> -<p>Biff held up his hand. “Wait.” Biff felt there was -still need for caution. He didn’t want Chuba to mention -the plan for the plane pickup. He didn’t want him -to reveal Muscles’ presence. There was no way of -knowing whether Chan Li understood English or not. -Until they reached Uncle Charlie, it would be wiser, -Biff felt, to hold back what little ammunition they still -had.</p> -<p>“Ask him where is this hide-out where my uncle -is?”</p> -<p>Chuba turned back to Chan Li. He spoke rapidly. -Chan Li replied, and pointed in a direction north of -Jaraminka.</p> -<p>“Just north of the city. In those foothills you can -see from here.”</p> -<p>“How long will it take us to get there?” Biff was -asking these questions for the benefit of the hidden -Muscles.</p> -<p>“An hour, says Chan Li. Maybe little more. But not -much.”</p> -<p>“And is he ready to take us there now?”</p> -<p>Chuba again nodded assent to the question.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_143">143</div> -<p>“Tell him, then, that we are ready to go right -now.”</p> -<p>Chuba spoke to Chan Li. The Chinese replied with -a deep bow, and the sweep of one arm, as if to say, “I -lead. You follow.”</p> -<p>As if speaking to himself, but in a clear voice, Biff -said, “An hour there, an hour with Uncle Charlie, and -an hour back—a bit more, perhaps. Four hours at the -most.” Biff stressed the words, “four hours.”</p> -<p>He hoped Muscles would understand. He hoped -Muscles would know that if they weren’t back in -four hours, then something had gone wrong.</p> -<p>With Chan Li in the lead, they headed for the distant -foothills.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_144">144</div> -<h2 id="c18"><span class="small">CHAPTER XVIII</span> -<br />The House of Kwang</h2> -<p>Muscles didn’t move. He kept his eyes glued to his -watch until ten minutes had passed. Not until then did -he think it safe to come out of his hiding place. He -had overheard every word. He, too, had been thrilled -at hearing that his good friend, Charles Keene, was -safe.</p> -<p>Going back up the hillside, being very careful to -take the protection of all cover on the way, Muscles -muttered to himself his admiration of Biff.</p> -<p>“Smart kid, that Biff,” he said softly. “He’s not -showing his whole hand. He wants to be shown first.” -Muscles looked at his watch. The hands pointed to -12:30.</p> -<p>“Four hours, Biff said. That will make it four-thirty.” -Muscles grinned. “If they’re not back by that -time, Muscles is going to muscle in.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_145">145</div> -<p>Nothing was said for the first half hour as Chan Li -led Biff and Chuba into the foothills to the north of -Jaraminka. Chan followed a course which curved -around the city. The city lay below them, about three -miles away, nestled in the center of an oval-shaped -valley, rimmed by hills.</p> -<p>The growth on the sloping hillside was thick, but -the path they traveled was wide and cleared enough -for easy going. They made good speed. When they -reached a point almost due north of the city, the path -turned sharply to the left, and the incline steepened.</p> -<p>They puffed their way up the path, putting the city -farther and farther behind them. After a particularly -steep climb, they reached a level area. Looking ahead, -Biff saw that the path came to a dead end against a -low, stone wall. Gaping holes in the wall showed that -it had been a long, long time since any care had been -taken of it.</p> -<p>Chan Li came to the wall and scrambled over it. -Biff and Chuba followed. Chan Li called a halt once -they were inside the wall, and standing in a thick -clump of trees. Chan spoke to Chuba. Chuba interpreted -to Biff.</p> -<p>“Chan say we almost there. Must go most careful -now. Ahead is old house, big house, once house of -important family. Family all dead. Only evil spirits -remain. People afraid of old house.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_146">146</div> -<p>Chan Li pushed deeper into the woods. Biff had no -chance to voice suspicions that were growing in him. -He felt that such a house must be known. But would -the “evil spirits” keep authorities from investigating? -Biff shook his head. He didn’t like the situation. He -couldn’t tell exactly why, but his doubts grew -stronger. True, the house was deep in a dense forest. -It took quite a climb to reach it. It was a good five -miles from the outskirts of Jaraminka, and there had -been no sign of any other house on their path to reach -it.</p> -<p>The woods started to thin out. Biff could see they -were coming to an opening. As they neared it, Biff -saw the gray outlines of several buildings, linked together -by a high stone wall. There was no sign of life. -The buildings, low, sprawling, had an ominous, mysterious -quality about them. The space between the -woods and the house was just wide enough for what -once must have been a moat.</p> -<p>Chan Li led the boys to an arched opening in the -wall, and they passed through it. Before them, Biff -saw a large courtyard. A graveled pathway led to the -main door. Three small pools were spaced on either -side of the path from the opening to the house.</p> -<p>As they neared the door, Biff sensed and felt the -presence of someone behind him. He turned his head. -Two Chinese soldiers, each with a revolver in hand, -had closed in behind the three.</p> -<p>Before Biff could raise his voice in protest, or question -Chan Li, the Chinese guide spoke.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_147">147</div> -<p>“Welcome to the House of Kwang.” He entered -the door. The guards moved up behind Biff and -Chuba. There was nothing they could do but follow -Chan Li. He led them down a long corridor. The corridor -was lined with small rooms on each side. This -may once have been the House of Kwang, Biff told -himself, but there was little doubt as to what it was -being used for now. The small windows in the center -of the doors were barred. At several of the windows -they passed, silent men stared out of the bars at them.</p> -<p>At the end of the corridor, two more guards threw -open a large, richly decorated door. Chan Li, a leer on -his face now, bowed low, and with a sweep of his -arm, ushered the boys through.</p> -<p>“The courtyard of the Ancient One. The Old Lord -of the House of Kwang.” He spoke the words in perfect -English.</p> -<p>In the center of the room two men sat on high-backed -throne chairs. One of them was richly dressed -in a flowing robe, decorated with red and gold dragons. -The other man, much older, was in tattered -clothing. A wispy beard waved downward from his -chin. Both men wore tight-fitting skull caps.</p> -<p>“Approach, my friends,” said the richly dressed -man. Biff and Chuba crossed the large room until they -stood directly in front of the two men. On closer -inspection, Biff saw that the speaker who wore the -rich clothing had coarse facial features. His big, broad -nose seemed to have been ironed onto his face. The -other man, though poorly dressed, had a fine, proud -face. He held his head high. His eyes, dimmed by -the years, were the eyes of a frightened man, but of a -man who would face his fate without flinching.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_148">148</div> -<p>“You are seeking the master of the House of -Kwang, I am informed,” the younger man said. As he -spoke, two men appeared from behind the chairs. One -of them had but one good eye. The lid of the other -eye drooped until the eye was shut.</p> -<p>The Chinese of the Chicago plane!</p> -<p>The man turned on a triumphant smile toward Biff. -“We meet again, Mr. Brewster,” he said.</p> -<p>“Silence, Mao!” commanded the richly robed man. -“You have, I am told, a ring with you, young man. -A ring which indicates your great friendship for the -House of Kwang.” The smile left the speaker’s face. -He leaned slightly forward, and his next words were a -stern, crisp order. “I’ll take that ring. I am Ping Lu, -master of the house.”</p> -<p>Biff reached into his pocket. He detached the ring -and held it out in his open palm. Just as the richly -robed man reached for it, the older man arose, bent -forward, and snatched it. As he did, Ping Lu, with a -sweep of his heavy arm, knocked the old man back -into his chair. He seized the old man’s hand, and pried -open his fist. He took the ring.</p> -<p>The old man spoke. He spoke in Chinese. Ping Lu -laughed as the old man poured out a stream of words.</p> -<p>“You may interpret for your American friend, if -you wish,” Ping Lu said, addressing Chuba.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_149">149</div> -<p>“The Old One is the real Master of the House of -Kwang,” Chuba translated. “He is called Tao Kwang, -and is oldest of the remaining Kwang family. The -ring is his. He is much angered that it is now in hands -of richly dressed man.”</p> -<p>Ping Lu cut in. “True, all true. Once this old fool -was the master of this house. Oh yes, this was one of -the many houses owned by him. But <i>I</i> am master of -this house now. It is used by me and my government -as a place where we entertain—” he chortled at the -word “entertain”—“our more important guests. And -Tao Kwang, though a doddering old fool now, once -held sway over this territory, and still thinks he has -much influence.”</p> -<p>Tao Kwang spoke again. Again Chuba interpreted. -“Ancient One say still many sons and nephews here. -Say for us not to be afraid.”</p> -<p>“Of course there is nothing to be afraid of,” Ping -Lu said. “I hope you will enjoy your stay with us.”</p> -<p>“How long do you intend keeping us prisoners?” -Biff asked.</p> -<p>“Prisoners? Let us say ‘guests.’ Of course, we will -have to see that you are protected at all times. That is -why it will be necessary to have you kept in a room -guarded by two of my strongest soldiers. You ask -how long will you be staying with us?”</p> -<p>Biff nodded his head.</p> -<p>“That, young man, depends on the cooperation I -expect to get from you in a matter of great importance.”</p> -<p>“What is it?” Biff asked.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_150">150</div> -<p>“You will hear, in due time. But first, a few days -rest here with us should, I think, do much to show -you the absolute necessity of your cooperating.”</p> -<p>Biff didn’t want to think of what the “few days -rest” might mean.</p> -<p>“Tell me this,” Ping continued. “Your paying us -this visit surely wasn’t only because of your friendship -with the House of Kwang. I seem to remember being -told of other inquiries your clever young friend made -on your behalf.” He motioned toward Chuba as he -spoke.</p> -<p>Biff decided on a show of boldness. There was nothing -to be gained by cowering before this self-important -official.</p> -<p>“You’re right. I have come here in search of my uncle. -His name is Charles Keene.”</p> -<p>“So. Well, perhaps I can be of assistance to you. -Perhaps the ring you brought with you from so -many thousands of miles away will bring you good -fortune.”</p> -<p>Biff felt like the mouse the cat was playing with.</p> -<p>“Is he here?” Biff demanded.</p> -<p>Ping Lu clapped his hands. The Chinese with the -bad eye, whom he had called Mao, came to him. Ping -Lu leaned over and spoke softly into Mao’s ear. Neither -Biff nor Chuba could hear what was said. Mao -left the room.</p> -<p>Ping Lu turned to Chan Li. He had been standing -just behind the boys during the conversation.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_151">151</div> -<p>“You may go now, Chan Li. And your reward will -be given you as you leave.”</p> -<p>Chan bowed, and turned toward the door.</p> -<p>Tao Kwang, the Ancient One, spat out a single -word as Chan left.</p> -<p>Biff looked at Chuba. “He call him traitor,” Chuba -said.</p> -<p>Ping Lu leaned back in his chair. He clasped his fat -hands over his bulging belly. A smirk of satisfaction -was stamped on his face.</p> -<p>The rasp of a door opening on the right side of the -huge room caused Biff to turn his head sharply. -Through the door, prodded from behind by the gun -barrels of two soldiers, walked Uncle Charlie.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_152">152</div> -<h2 id="c19"><span class="small">CHAPTER XIX</span> -<br />Uncle Charlie’s Story</h2> -<p>“Biff!” Charles Keene shouted his nephew’s name -hoarsely. He crossed the room and placed his hands on -Biff’s shoulders. Strangely, the guards made no move -to stop him.</p> -<p>“Gee, Uncle Charlie—” Biff broke off. He felt his -voice choke up and knew he wasn’t far from tears. -This, he told himself, would never do. Not in front -of the leering Ping Lu.</p> -<p>“I’m sure glad we found you, sir. Chuba came with -me.”</p> -<p>Chuba was grinning at Uncle Charlie. “We find you -okay, Sahib Charlie. You in good shapes?”</p> -<p>“I’ve been very well cared for,” Uncle Charlie replied, -stressing the word “very.” “Ping Lu has seen to -that.”</p> -<p>Uncle Charlie glanced at Ping Lu, then deliberately -turned from him and bowed low to Tao Kwang. A -fleeting smile crossed the Ancient One’s face.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_153">153</div> -<p>“Quite a reunion,” Ping Lu said. “And surely a most -happy one.”</p> -<p>“It would be, under different circumstances,” -Charles Keene said.</p> -<p>“Those circumstances can be altered to suit you -and your nephew, Keene,” Ping Lu said. He added, -“It is but a slight thing I ask you to do.”</p> -<p>Charles Keene shrugged his shoulders.</p> -<p>“Perhaps you would like to discuss it with your -nephew. And I’m sure the Ancient One could advise -you well.” Ping Lu clapped his hands. The door -through which Charles Keene had entered opened -again. Across the room came a tall, white-robed man. -Biff glanced at the man, then stared hard at him. It -was Palung, the Chinese who had attempted to kidnap -him at the Rangoon airport.</p> -<p>Palung didn’t even look at Biff. Biff’s escape from -him and his two knife-wielding thugs, had undoubtedly -caused Palung to lose face. Certainly Palung -must have been disgraced in the eyes of his superior, -Ping Lu.</p> -<p>“Show our guests to the large court. They have -much to talk about. And be sure this time the young -one doesn’t get away.” The expression on Ping Lu’s -face, the bark in his voice plainly said, “That’s an -order.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_154">154</div> -<p>The two guards who had escorted Charles Keene -into the room took their positions behind the three. A -short, crisp sentence came from Ping Lu’s lips. The -Ancient One arose from his chair and joined them. -Palung led them from the room. The guards stayed -close behind.</p> -<p>The room they were taken to was large, but -sparsely furnished. There were two wooden chairs, -plain but sturdy. Low benches, used for sleeping, lined -the walls.</p> -<p>The door closed behind the four, and they could -hear a key turning in the door’s lock. No one spoke -for several moments. Then Biff went to the door to -peer through its barred window. His stare was returned -by a guard’s expressionless face.</p> -<p>Biff turned back to rejoin the group.</p> -<p>“All right, young man,” Charles Keene said. “Now -suppose you just tell me how you happen to be here.”</p> -<p>“I will, Uncle Charlie. But first, don’t you think -we’d better check to see if this room is bugged?”</p> -<p>“You’re right, Biff. Should have thought of that -myself. There could very well be a microphone hidden -in this room. I imagine Ping Lu would be most -interested in what we’ll be talking about.”</p> -<p>The inspection of the room took only a few -minutes. The walls were bare. There were no light -fixtures, no wiring. There was no place where a -microphone could have been concealed.</p> -<p>“Guess we’re safe from their ears,” Uncle Charlie -said. “But why did they put us together? They’ve got -some reason, I know.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_155">155</div> -<p>Biff nodded his head. He picked up one of the -chairs and placed it near the bench directly opposite -the barred door. Chuba brought over the other one. -Biff wanted to be as far away from the guard as possible. -Plans had to be made. Biff didn’t want them upset -by any eavesdropper.</p> -<p>The two Americans and the two Chinese huddled -by the wall. They spoke in low tones. Biff quickly -sketched in his experiences since leaving Indianapolis. -Then he plied his uncle with questions.</p> -<p>“But what I don’t understand, Uncle Charlie, is why -they would want to capture me? I’m sure that blinky-eyed -Chinese was spying on me from the moment I -left Indianapolis. Even before, according to your -friend Ling Tang.”</p> -<p>“You’re right, Biff.”</p> -<p>“And then I’ve told you how they tried to put the -snatch on me at the airport. But why?”</p> -<p>“I can’t give you all the answers, Biff. I’m not sure -of them myself. But I have a pretty good idea.” -Charles Keene paused to light a cigarette.</p> -<p>“I’ve been held here almost a month, now. Sort of -lost track of the actual number of days. At first I -thought they’d ship me off to Peking, the capital. But -if I should agree to what Ping Lu wants me to, it -would be a large feather in his cap. He’d become a -big shot in the eyes of the big bosses in Peking.”</p> -<p>“What does he want you to do?” Biff asked.</p> -<p>“Just sign a paper.”</p> -<p>“Sign a paper? Is <i>that</i> all?” Biff asked, disbelief in -his voice.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_156">156</div> -<p>Charlie Keene nodded his head. “It would be quite -a document, Biff. He hasn’t let me read it, but from -what he has said, I get the message.”</p> -<p>“But why the paper, Uncle Charlie?”</p> -<p>“That’s what I’m not altogether sure of. I think -Ping Lu believes—in fact, I know he does—he’s convinced -that I came into China for a reason quite different -from the real one. He believes the reason I gave -him for daring to enter this forbidden country is -merely a cover-up story for my real mission.”</p> -<p>“What does he think you’re doing here?” Biff insisted.</p> -<p>Charles Keene grinned. “He has me marked as a big -fat spy.”</p> -<p>An idea was buzzing around Biff’s mind. He -thought he might have stumbled on why Ping Lu was -spy-minded. But he’d tell Uncle Charlie about that -later. He wanted to know some other things first.</p> -<p>“But how does this all connect up with me?” Biff -asked.</p> -<p>“I figure it this way, Biff. I’m sure if Palung had -been able to kidnap you, they’d have started putting -the pressure on me much sooner. When you escaped, -it upset their plans and their timetable. They had to -have you to force my hand.”</p> -<p>“To sign the paper, you mean?”</p> -<p>“That’s right. They would have held you hostage. -They would have promised to release you, unharmed, -if I would agree to their demands.”</p> -<p>“You wouldn’t trust them to live up to their promise?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_157">157</div> -<p>“No. But more than that. I didn’t think they had -you. Certain questions I asked led me to believe you -were safe in Unhao.”</p> -<p>“And now I turn up right in their own backyard.”</p> -<p>“That’s about it. I expect now they’ll start turning -up the heat.”</p> -<p>“What do you figure is in this paper they want you -to sign?”</p> -<p>“I think, Biff, they want me to sign an official paper, -stating that I came here under the orders of the -United States Government to spy on the Chinese. -Just what they think I was looking for, I don’t know.”</p> -<p>“Would such a document be so damaging?”</p> -<p>“Very. It would embarrass our government and -put an additional strain on relations that are strained -enough already. In the eyes of the world, the Chinese -could use such a paper to further discredit our country. -They would aim the propaganda at those countries -that are wavering in their opinion of the U.S.”</p> -<p>“Just why did you come into China? I think I -know, but I’d like to be sure,” Biff said.</p> -<p>“It goes back to Indianapolis and to my friendship -with Ling Tang.”</p> -<p>“I thought so.”</p> -<p>“Ling Tang is a grandson of the Ancient One here. -Before I left to come out to Burma, Ling Tang asked -me if I would help him and members of the House of -Kwang if the occasion should arise. Naturally, I told -my old friend that I would. Didn’t know then, -though, how much I was letting myself in for.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_158">158</div> -<p>The Ancient One, although unable to understand -English, pricked up his ears at mention of Ling Tang -and the House of Kwang.</p> -<p>“I’d been out here about three months when I got a -letter from Tang telling me one of his brothers was -going to try to escape from China. He was going to -try to cross into Burma. He would seek me out, identifying -himself with the ring which bears the seal of the -House of Kwang.”</p> -<p>“Like the ring that came through my window?”</p> -<p>“That’s right, Biff. Tang’s brother did get out. He -gave me the ring. I, in turn, sent it on to Tang in the -States. Whenever another escape was about to take -place, the ring was to be sent me to alert me of the -fact. A lot safer than putting such information in writing.”</p> -<p>“Then it was Ling Tang <i>himself</i> who got the ring -to me so mysteriously!” Biff said.</p> -<p>“Yes. You were to bring that ring to me, and then -I would know that another Kwang was on the way -out.”</p> -<p>“But why didn’t you wait?” Biff asked. “Wait until -I got here with the ring?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_159">159</div> -<p>“I couldn’t. There’s an underground network that -passes information along. From it, I learned that the -Ancient One had finally been persuaded to seek haven -and peace in the outside world. I also learned that he -was in grave danger of being made a prisoner. If this -happened, then all members of the House of Kwang -would have to obey the orders of the Chinese Red -government. The government believes that the House -of Kwang has hidden valuables worth millions of dollars. -If they took the Ancient One prisoner, the family -would be forced to tell where these valuables are -or never see the head of their family again. And you -know how the Chinese worship and revere the head -of the house.”</p> -<p>Chuba sat silent, wide-eyed, as Charles Keene told -his story.</p> -<p>“It was foolish of me, I guess. But when I heard -they were about to move in on the Ancient One, I -decided on a gamble. I sent word back that I was flying -in. They were to have the Ancient One ready. I’d -pick him up and come out. I had the whole thing -figured out. Wouldn’t take more than five hours in -and out. I also figured on the element of surprise. No -one would be expecting such a bold move.”</p> -<p>“And what happened?”</p> -<p>“Everything got fouled up. My starboard motor -conked out. Carburetor iced up in the rarefied atmosphere. -Couldn’t maintain flying speed and had to make -a forced landing. Banged the plane up so I couldn’t -take off again. And then, just as I was making a signal -to Unhao, they grabbed me.”</p> -<p>“That <i>was</i> you then. Your signal came the first -morning I was in Unhao.”</p> -<p>“So part of it did get through! I hoped it had.” -Charlie continued his story. “I was brought here, and -the next day, they brought in the Ancient One.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_160">160</div> -<p>The conversation was cut short by the sound of the -key turning in the door. It swung open, and a Chinese -entered bringing food. Biff hadn’t realized how much -time had passed. But now he realized he was ravenously -hungry. As the servant placed the food on one -of the benches, the guard stood just inside the door, -his gun covering the prisoners.</p> -<p>Nothing was said as they ate. All were famished. -Biff raised his plate to scrape up the last few grains of -rice. As he did so, his eye was caught by a small, -square piece of thin paper stuck on the bottom of the -plate.</p> -<p>He removed the paper, and once more, saw the -symbol “K,” the seal of the House of Kwang.</p> -<p>Without a word, Biff handed it to the Ancient One. -The old man looked at it. Now it was his time to -talk as the Americans and Chuba listened.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_161">161</div> -<h2 id="c20"><span class="small">CHAPTER XX</span> -<br />Muscles “Muscles” In</h2> -<p>Muscles checked his watch for the tenth time in -the past five minutes. He was growing more and more -impatient. The minute hand showed it to be ten minutes -past four o’clock. Twenty minutes remained before -Biff’s four-hour deadline would run out.</p> -<p>The powerful mechanic had returned to the spring. -He kept his eyes turned in the direction of the path -taken by Chan Li, Biff, and Chuba. He kept them -turned that way except for the times he glared at the -crystal of his watch.</p> -<p>There was no sign of anyone. He could see the path -at several spots. He had watched closely as long as he -could when the party of three had left. Since their departure, -he had seen no one.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_162">162</div> -<p>“They could be back by now,” he said to himself. -“Plenty of time to get there and back.” Impatiently, -he strode up and down. Deep within him, Muscles -knew that he really wasn’t expecting them to return. -His doubts, his fears had grown as the minutes became -hours. He pounded his fist into the palm of his other -hand. He wanted action. He was a man of action. This -waiting, he told himself, was strictly for the birds.</p> -<p>At 4:25, Muscles could stand it no longer. He -started for the path. If Biff, Chuba, Charlie Keene, -and their guide were returning, he’d meet them on -the way.</p> -<p>Muscles went along the path at a dog trot. Without -realizing, he broke into a run. He checked himself -when he came to the path’s sharp left turn and the -steep rise to the crumbling stone wall.</p> -<p>Now he was certain that Chan Li had led his friends -into a trap. It was nearly 5:30—an hour over the -deadline. The path by the wall, Muscles noticed, ran -each way. Which way to turn, left or right? His -decision was made for him by a sound. Muscles -crouched low, just off the path, out of sight. He -could plainly hear someone coming toward him.</p> -<p>He stared through a small opening in the thick bush -he was using as cover. His muscles tensed, he was -ready to spring like a tiger.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_163">163</div> -<p>A figure suddenly came into view. It was Chan Li. -With a snarl, Muscles sprang. He jumped on the back -of the Chinese. His weight hurled the slighter man to -the ground. Like a cat, Muscles leaped up. He snatched -Chan’s right arm, twisted it, until Chan was face down -on the ground. Muscles, keeping pressure on the arm, -plunked himself down on Chan’s back. Increasing -pressure on the arm until Chan gasped in pain, Muscles -rasped out, “Okay, let’s have it, and fast. Where -are the boys?”</p> -<p>Chan didn’t answer.</p> -<p>“You’re going to be a one-armed Chinese if you -don’t talk.” Muscles cupped his free hand on the back -of Chan’s head. He ground the man’s face in the dirt. -“Talk!”</p> -<p>The pain was bad enough, but the humiliation of -having his face ground into the dirt, of losing face -literally, was more than Chan could stand.</p> -<p>“I talk,” he said.</p> -<p>Muscles released the pressure. He stood up. “Now -get up, you dog. Get up and tell me what happened.”</p> -<p>“I had to do it. I had to lead boys to Ping Lu. If I -don’t, he do great harm to my family.”</p> -<p>“Ping Lu? Who’s he? Member of the Kwang -tribe?”</p> -<p>“No, he big boss in this territory.”</p> -<p>“So, you turned traitor to your own. Where are -the boys?”</p> -<p>“In big house, not far from here.”</p> -<p>“Let’s get going then. Show me the way.”</p> -<p>Chan Li seemed to shrink in size at Muscles’ words. -“Oh, no! No! Never. They kill me. They kill you if -we go back. Many guards. All armed.”</p> -<p>Muscles thought fast. “Charles Keene is there, -too?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_164">164</div> -<p>Chan nodded his head.</p> -<p>“Now listen, you double-crosser. I don’t trust you, -but I’ve got to. Do you know any members of the -Kwang family who are opposed to this Ping Lu you -mentioned?”</p> -<p>“Oh, yes. Are many around here.”</p> -<p>“All right. Now get this, and get it straight. You’re -going to take me to one of them. And if you try to -cross me, you’ll die along with me. I can knock you -off with one blow.” Muscles held a clenched fist to -Chan’s face. He twisted it on the Chinese’s nose. “I’ll -be this close to you all the time. And believe me, I’ll -get you before anyone gets me. Understand?”</p> -<p>“I understand. Chan Li won’t try double cross.”</p> -<p>“Okay. Let’s get going then. And on the double.”</p> -<p class="tb">The Ancient One took the slip of paper from Biff. -He looked at it carefully, then nodded his head. He -turned to Chuba and spoke softly, swiftly. After a -few moments, he stopped and indicated with a nod toward -Biff and Charles Keene that Chuba was to interpret.</p> -<p>“The Ancient One says there is great hope for escape. -This piece of paper comes from one of his -grandsons. He works in the kitchen. It is not known -by the officials here that this cook is member of the -House of Kwang. He was placed here to spy on Ping -Lu. To try to find out plans. To warn when danger -threatens Kwang House people.”</p> -<p>The Ancient One resumed his speaking.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_165">165</div> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/p05.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="573" /> -<p class="caption"><i>He grabbed the guard by the collar and lifted -him by one hand into the room</i></p> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_166">166</div> -<p>“He says that paper with ‘K’ on it is signal. Either -tonight, when clock makes twelve strikes, or tomorrow -night at same time, attempt will be made to rescue -him and us.”</p> -<p>“How, Chuba? Ask him how?” Biff said.</p> -<p>As Chuba spoke, the Ancient One shook his head.</p> -<p>“Does not know exact plans. His grandson will try -to be servant who comes for tray. He will tell us -plan.”</p> -<p>Biff looked at his uncle. “Guess there’s nothing we -can do but wait.”</p> -<p>Uncle Charlie agreed. “But things look good. When -members of the House of Kwang act, they’re usually -successful.”</p> -<p>“Then how in the world did they ever let the Ancient -One get captured in the first place?” Biff asked.</p> -<p>“I think the Ancient One himself had something to -do with that. He doesn’t really want to leave his -homeland. He is old, and like all Chinese, he wants his -final resting place to be in the earth of his native land.”</p> -<p>“I’ve heard that was true—Look, Uncle Charlie, I -think I may have an idea as to why Ping Lu is so desperate -for you to sign that paper.”</p> -<p>“Give out, Biff. Give out.”</p> -<p>“Well, I’m not sure, of course, but on our way to -Jaraminka, we ran into something very strange.”</p> -<p>“Was much big workings,” Chuba cut in. “Many, -many more big machines than when camp was cleared -at Unhao.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_167">167</div> -<p>“Tell me more, Biff.”</p> -<p>Biff described the activity they had discovered behind -the wire fence. He told his uncle of the immensity -of the project, of the furious pace at which -the men worked, of the bulldozers, the cranes, the -steam shovels.</p> -<p>“And there’s an air strip already completed. It was -loaded with planes. You have an idea what it might -be?”</p> -<p>Charles Keene thought a few moments before replying. -“Only a slight idea from what you’ve told me, -Biff. I’d have to see the place.”</p> -<p>“Maybe you can take a look on our way back.”</p> -<p>“If we ever get out of here,” his uncle said soberly.</p> -<p>“We’ll get out,” Biff said spiritedly.</p> -<p>“Hope you’re right, Biff. You know, putting two -and two together, the build-up of the Army in this -area, and what you’ve described, it could be that Ping -Lu thinks my real reason for coming in was to get -information on the huge construction job.”</p> -<p>“That’s what I thought, Uncle Charlie.”</p> -<p>There was a noise at the door. All four raised expectant, -hopeful eyes. Their expression of hope -changed to one of despair.</p> -<p>The same servant who had brought the meal came -into the room to remove the tray piled with dishes.</p> -<p>What had happened to the Ancient One’s grandson?</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_168">168</div> -<h2 id="c21"><span class="small">CHAPTER XXI</span> -<br />Out of the Frying Pan</h2> -<p>The clank of a heavy key in the lock of the door -woke Biff the next day. He started to yawn, and -stretched the kinks from his shoulders and legs. Abruptly -he sat up. It could be the “cook!” Biff’s hopes -dimmed when the man entered. Again it was the same -old servant, well protected by an armed guard.</p> -<p>Biff looked at the Ancient One. His face was expressionless. -Uncle Charlie shrugged his shoulders at -Biff’s questioning look.</p> -<p>“Don’t let it get you down, Biff. We haven’t lost -yet. Maybe at the noon meal, perhaps we’ll get some -word then.”</p> -<p>“Wish Muscles were here. If he were we could -overpower the guard and make a break for it.”</p> -<p>“Muscles—what made you think of Muscles all of a -sudden?”</p> -<p>Biff clamped his open hand on his head, his jaw -dropped as a thought struck him.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_169">169</div> -<p>“I com-plete-ly forgot to tell you. Muscles is <i>here</i>, -in <i>China</i>, in Jaraminka!”</p> -<p>“Where’d you leave him?” Uncle Charlie decided -details could be explained later.</p> -<p>“Back at a spring, just west of the city. I hope he -got my message. I tried to tell him—he was hiding, -but I’m sure he could hear us—that if we weren’t -back in four hours then we’d been led into a trap.” -Biff’s words rushed out in one jumbled sentence.</p> -<p>“That’s the best news I’ve heard yet, Biff. Muscles -is a good operator.”</p> -<p>“But what could he do? He’d be spotted in a minute,” -Biff said.</p> -<p>“Haven’t got the answer to that one,” Uncle Charlie -replied. “But I’d bet on Muscles in any situation. -He bulldogs in where angels fear to tread.”</p> -<p>The morning hours dragged. As noon approached, -Biff became more and more restless.</p> -<p>“Wish something would happen—anything! I wonder -why Ping Lu hasn’t sent for us?”</p> -<p>“Playing a waiting game, Biff,” his uncle replied. -“The longer he keeps us here with no word, the more -tense and nervous we’ll get. He knows that. Uncertainty, -waiting, not knowing what move the enemy -will make next is one of the surest ways of making a -man reach his breaking point. And your being here, -he reasons, will make me twice as jittery.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_170">170</div> -<p>The hour of noon came and passed. No one came -to the prison room. Biff was wondering how near his -breaking point was when, shortly after one o’clock, -the now familiar rasp of a key in the door was heard.</p> -<p>“Make it be the Ancient One’s grandson,” Biff said -half aloud. The others were praying for the same -thing.</p> -<p>The door swung inward. Whether the new servant -was the grandson, Biff didn’t know. But it was a different -man. He brought a tray of food over and -placed it beside Tao Kwang. Biff thought he saw the -man’s lips move, but he couldn’t be sure. The servant -left. The door was locked behind him. Biff looked at -Chuba. “Did he say anything? Ask the Ancient One.”</p> -<p>Chuba spoke softly, rapidly to the old man. The -old one’s reply was a single sentence. Chuba translated:</p> -<p>“Tonight when the clock makes the twelve strikes.”</p> -<p>“That’s all? Didn’t give you any details?”</p> -<p>“That’s all Ancient One tell Chuba. I think that all -grandson tell the Ancient One.”</p> -<p>Never had Biff known a day to pass so slowly. The -suspense became unbearable. Charlie Keene tried to -calm Biff down.</p> -<p>“I think you’d be better off if you’d try to rest. -Pacing back and forth isn’t going to make the time go -by any quicker. Get Chuba to teach you the Oriental -art of patience.”</p> -<p>“Rest? Who can rest at a time like this?” Biff replied. -Then he was ashamed at the angry tone in his -voice. “I’m sorry, Uncle Charlie. I didn’t mean to—”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_171">171</div> -<p>“I understand, Biff. But you may need all your -strength when midnight comes. Try stretching out -for a little while.”</p> -<p>Biff took his uncle’s advice. His mind was in a turmoil -as he lay on the hard wooden bench, his cupped -hands beneath his head serving for a pillow. Sleep -would never come, he told himself. The next thing he -knew, he was being gently shaken. Uncle Charlie was -bending over him, grinning.</p> -<p>“Almost midnight, Biff. Better come alive.”</p> -<p>“Midnight!” Biff sat up in astonishment. He -couldn’t believe it. “But what about supper? Did I -sleep right through it?”</p> -<p>“No one brought anything tonight. Don’t know -why.” Charles Keene picked up the kerosene lamp -which gave the room its only light, and blew it out. -“If anything is going to happen, it would be better if -the guards thought we were asleep.”</p> -<p>They waited in the darkness. There was no conversation. -But the tension in the room was so strong, -it seemed as though you could touch it like a physical -thing. Biff knew he could feel it.</p> -<p>Biff’s hopes went high and low like a playground -swing. Suddenly his ears caught a strange noise. It -came from the far end of the corridor through which -Biff and Chuba had been led to Ping Lu.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_172">172</div> -<p>The noise grew louder. Shouts were heard. Running -feet could be heard in the corridor. Biff sprang -to the barred window of the door. He peered into the -dimly lighted hall. The guard was gone. Now the -cries became louder.</p> -<p>“Chuba! Can you make out what’s being said?”</p> -<p>Chuba came to the door. He put his head close to -the bars.</p> -<p>“Fire! Much shoutings of fire. Fire in kitchen!”</p> -<p>In the kitchen. Where the grandson served as a -cook. This must be it!</p> -<p>Moments passed. Heavy footsteps were heard in the -hall. Biff, his uncle, and Chuba crowded toward the -door. Only the Ancient One remained where he was, -seated on the far wall bench. He sat quietly, waiting.</p> -<p>The sound of running feet came nearer. A figure -skidded to a stop by their door. Behind this figure -stood what was certainly the biggest Chinese in all the -Orient.</p> -<p>The key turned. The grandson came in. Behind him -came the giant. Under an almost concealing broad-brimmed -hat, the “Oriental” was grinning widely.</p> -<p>“Muscles! How did you get here?” Biff and Charlie -shot the question at their friend in the same breath.</p> -<p>“No time for an answer now. We got to make with -the feet. There’s enough excitement in the kitchen -now to cover our escape.”</p> -<p>The grandson was at the side of the Ancient One. -He helped him to his feet.</p> -<p>“Hold it,” Muscles called out. “Let me see if the -coast is clear.” He leaned out the door. “Looks okay—oh-oh—hold -it. A guard’s coming along. I’ll take -him.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_173">173</div> -<p>And he did. As the guard reached the door, Muscle’s -huge arm snaked out. He grabbed the guard by -the collar and lifted him by one hand into the room. -With his other hand, he struck the guard a chopping -blow, and the guard went limp without uttering a -sound. Charlie Keene caught him as he slumped over.</p> -<p>“Stack him in the corner, Charlie. Might be another -one coming along.”</p> -<p>Muscles was right. Another guard came trotting -down the hall and received the same treatment.</p> -<p>“Two down—how many to go?” Muscles was -enjoying himself.</p> -<p>“More guards coming,” Chuba whispered excitedly.</p> -<p>“Two of them this time,” Muscles said. “Makes a -more even match.”</p> -<p>The giant mechanic waited until the two were in -the corridor a pace beyond the door. He jerked the -door open, pounced on the two guards, and in a -swooping motion, cracked their heads together. He -dragged them into the room.</p> -<p>“Muscles, look, let’s put these four on the benches. -Anybody looking in will think it’s us sleeping,” Biff -suggested in a whisper.</p> -<p>“Smart,” Uncle Charlie agreed, nodding. The unconscious -guards were carefully posed as drowsy prisoners. -Chuba had taken a position just outside the door -as this was being done.</p> -<p>“No more guards coming,” he called softly.</p> -<p>The four prisoners left their cell. Muscles motioned -to the grandson for the keys. He turned the lock.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_174">174</div> -<p>“Don’t know whether you’d call that a fair exchange,” -he said, “but it’s an even one.”</p> -<p>“Come. We must lose no more time.” The grandson -took the lead. The others followed. They passed -through the room where Ping Lu had held court. A -door on the other side of the room led to another -corridor, this one narrower and shorter.</p> -<p>“Hope he knows where he’s going,” Biff said.</p> -<p>“He ought to. This used to be his home. He grew -up here,” Muscles replied.</p> -<p>At the end of the corridor, their path was blocked -by another door. The grandson tried it. It wouldn’t -yield.</p> -<p>“No keys,” he said.</p> -<p>“Okay then, stand back.” Muscles took six steps -away from the door. Then, with a bull-like charge, -he hurtled his powerful body against it. The door -sprang from its hinges, fell flat on the ground outside, -with Muscles sprawling on top of it.</p> -<p>It took only seconds to reach the stone wall. The -Ancient One was helped over. Biff turned as he -crossed the wall. One end of the house was ablaze. -Figures could be seen running frantically around, casting -weird, dancing shadows.</p> -<p>As Biff watched, he saw four men leave the light of -the blaze and come on a run to the place in the wall -they had just crossed.</p> -<p>“Hurry,” Biff shouted. “They’re after us.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_175">175</div> -<h2 id="c22"><span class="small">CHAPTER XXII</span> -<br />Hong Kong and Points East</h2> -<p>The party moved swiftly through the night. The -grandson never hesitated. He knew every bend and -turn in the path. Suddenly he stopped.</p> -<p>“We must rest a few minutes,” he said. “Honorable -grandfather is old. He cannot stand this pace.”</p> -<p>“But we’ve got to keep going,” Biff insisted. “I saw -four men leave the fire and come after us.”</p> -<p>“Fear not, my friend. I think I know who they -are. But stay here, I’ll go back down the path and -make certain,” the “cook” said.</p> -<p>The grandson vanished in the night. Biff felt sure -that any moment the party would be jumped by pursuing -guards. Then he heard voices. The grandson -came back, followed by four men.</p> -<p>“My brothers and cousins,” the grandson said. -“They are more grandsons of the Old Lord. One of -them is brother to your friend Ling Tang.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_176">176</div> -<p>Muscles stepped into the group. “Sure, I know these -guys. They’re okay. These are real members of the -House of Kwang. I made that double-crosser Chan Li -take me to them. We worked out the whole escape. -This fellow,” Muscles pointed to the grandson-servant, -“he started the whole thing. Set the kitchen on -fire. Then he grabbed the keys, and led me to your -room. The others stayed back to watch the guards. -Held some of them back all right. Must have been -more than twenty on duty.”</p> -<p>“We can go on now,” the grandson said quietly. -“The Ancient One has rested.”</p> -<p>Two grandsons came to the side of the old man. -Each placed a supporting arm around his waist. The -party continued on its way.</p> -<p>Except for short, regular rest periods, they kept going -all night. As dawn broke, the party stopped for a -lengthier rest. All were near exhaustion from the excitement -and the steady pace they had kept up. The -Old One slept like a baby, held in the arms of one of -his grandsons.</p> -<p>They rested most of the morning. It was far safer -to travel at night. On the second day, as they reached -a safer distance from Jaraminka, they continued toward -the plateau where Jack Hudson was to pick -them up. In turn, the grandsons went ahead to make -certain no one was lying in wait for them.</p> -<p>“Biff, are we anywhere near the spot where you -saw all that construction?” Uncle Charlie asked.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_177">177</div> -<p>“We should be,” Biff replied. “We should be nearing -the valley soon. What do you think, Chuba? And -you, Muscles?”</p> -<p>“Chuba think we reach it right over next hill.”</p> -<p>“I’ll trust Chuba’s judgment,” Muscles chimed in.</p> -<p>Chuba was right. The valley was over the next hill. -They had reached it at a point below where it rose -steeply to the metal fence.</p> -<p>“The rest of you wait here,” Charles Keene ordered. -“I’ll make a quick trip for a fast look-see.”</p> -<p>“And <i>I’m</i> with you,” Biff said quickly. His uncle -gave him a look, hesitated for a moment, but apparently -decided not to protest.</p> -<p>“But Charlie—” Muscles started to say.</p> -<p>“No buts about it. Come on, Biff.”</p> -<p>Uncle and nephew climbed the slope. Biff found -the opening in the fence. They crawled underneath -and reached the rim of the huge amphitheater. Uncle -Charlie stared down at the activity for minutes. He -took in every detail, storing the information in his -mind. A nodded signal told Biff they were going back.</p> -<p>Once down on the floor of the valley, Biff asked -his uncle what he thought the construction was.</p> -<p>“I’m almost certain, Biff, that they’re building a -rocket launching site.”</p> -<p>“Like Cape Canaveral?”</p> -<p>His uncle nodded his head. “I was at Canaveral at -its beginning. Saw the place grow. That work back -up there is much the same type of construction. Still -in its earliest stages, somewhat crude. Be a long time -before they can try a moon shot, or any other kind.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_178">178</div> -<p>“Is knowing about this important?”</p> -<p>“Important. You just bet it is. News of this development -is vital. It’s the biggest, most important information -Uncle Sam has had out of China in years. -You really found something, Biff.”</p> -<p>Shortly after noon of the second day since their -escape, the party reached the plateau where Muscles -had been landed by Jack Hudson.</p> -<p>“This is it,” Muscles said. “If Jack gets my signal, -we’ll be away and winging by dark. Here, Chuba, -take the end of this wire and scamper up that tree. -Attach it to the highest limb you can reach.”</p> -<p>The antenna was connected to the portable transmitter. -The tree’s height increased the distance of -transmission possible. Ground transmission would -have limited the signal.</p> -<p>“All is okay, Muscles,” Chuba called down. Muscles -picked up the hand mike. He snapped on a button. A -slight hum could be heard.</p> -<p>Muscles turned to the anxiously waiting group. -“Let’s hope I get through. I can’t repeat my signal -more than once. It may be picked up by the enemy.” -He grinned at them. “Well, here goes.” Muscles -held the mike close to his mouth. “There’s gold in -these hyar hills....” He waited ten seconds. “Repeating.... -There’s gold in these hyar hills.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_179">179</div> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/p06.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="629" /> -<p class="caption"><i>The plane winged in on the prayers of the group</i></p> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_180">180</div> -<p>He snapped off the transmitter. “That was our pre-arranged -signal. It tells Jack Hudson that I’ve found -you and that we’re all set to come out. If he got my -signal, he’s on his way to the plane right now, I hope, -I hope, I hope. It’s been on the runway, warmed up -around the clock, ever since he got back.”</p> -<p>“Well, we’ll know in about two hours,” Uncle -Charlie said.</p> -<p>Jack did get the signal. Almost exactly two hours -after Muscles’ signal, the faint hum of a plane was -heard. It grew louder, and then came into sight. It -winged in on the prayers of the whole group, the -most welcome sight Biff had ever seen.</p> -<p>Farewells were short. The moment the plane -touched down, the Ancient One was put aboard. The -others followed fast.</p> -<p>The last Biff saw of the Ancient One’s grandsons -was a picture he would keep in his heart and mind -forever. The five grandsons stood in a line, facing in -the direction of the departing plane. All were bowing -deeply to show their gratitude.</p> -<p>No one really relaxed until the plane crossed the -border, but they reached Unhao with no trouble. Jack -Hudson taxied the plane to a neat stop and whistled -in relief, “Whew-uw!” Then briskly he turned to the -group. “We’re going to refuel and take right off -again,” he announced.</p> -<p>“What’s the hurry, Jack?” Charlie asked. “How’s -about letting me have a bath?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_181">181</div> -<p>“Man, do you know how hot you and Biff have -become since you went inside? There have been spies -all over the camp. You and Biff aren’t even to get out -of this plane. Biff’s things and yours are all packed. -I’ve got ’em in the luggage compartment. Soon as this -crate is refueled, it’s off for Hong Kong. You can -dunk the body there.”</p> -<p>“But what about you, Jack?”</p> -<p>“Oh, they don’t want me. It’s you two got the information -they want to keep from getting out. I don’t -know what you know, and I don’t want to. They -don’t know I’ve crossed into the big ‘C.’”</p> -<p>Biff looked at Chuba. Unashamed tears filled the -native boy’s eyes. Biff choked up. “Don’t worry, -Chuba, we’ll meet again,” he said, and meant it.</p> -<p>Muscles ruffled Chuba’s dark hair and said, “Chum, -next year you and I go Stateside, and we’ll visit this -character.” Muscles gave Biff an affectionate punch -on the chin. “See you soon,” he said, as he and Chuba -left the plane.</p> -<p>They made Hong Kong safely. Biff and his uncle -found a U.S. military policeman, who took them to -the consulate. There they reported their discovery -to an amazed official.</p> -<p>“You have performed a great service for your -country,” the embassy official said solemnly, and -added with a faint smile, “although you should have -your passports taken away for such a foolhardy venture.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_182">182</div> -<p>“I know you’re right, sir,” Charles Keene said, “but -I would like to ask a favor of you. Can you get us out -of Hong Kong?”</p> -<p>“So fast it will make your head swim. Diplomatically -speaking, we don’t want you around here. -There’s a jet bomber taking off for Honolulu in an -hour. You’ll be on it. From there, you’re on your -own.”</p> -<p>Two hours later, Biff and his uncle were winging -over the blue Pacific, homeward bound—and sound -asleep.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_183">183</div> -<h3 id="c23"><i>A Biff Brewster Mystery Adventure</i></h3> -<p class="center">MYSTERY OF THE CHINESE RING</p> -<p class="center">By ANDY ADAMS</p> -<p>Burma! Biff Brewster can hardly believe -he’ll soon be flying to Burma to visit his -Uncle Charlie. Not even when a green jade -ring comes hurtling through his bedroom -window is he fully aware of the excitement -and danger awaiting him.</p> -<p>Is the ring a good-luck charm or a bad -omen? Biff suspects that Uncle Charlie’s -sudden departure from Cape Canaveral to -Burma might well have international implications, -and that the ring is a warning.</p> -<p>But even with a warning, Biff is still a -boy alone in a strange country. As he disembarks -at Rangoon, the young adventurer -walks straight into an attempted kidnaping. -Using his wits, Biff escapes from his -captors only to learn that his uncle is -somewhere in the heart of Red China, perhaps -in serious trouble.</p> -<p>Horrified at the news, Biff persuades -Chuba, a Burmese boy, to lead him through -the jungle swamplands and across the -Chinese border. Once in forbidden enemy -territory, Biff uncovers the strange meaning -of the jade ring, learns of the secret -mission which has brought his uncle to -Red China, and discovers a startling project -of vital importance to the United States.</p> -<p>Join Biff Brewster in more thrilling, -world-wide adventure stories, now available -at your local booksellers.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_185">185</div> -<h3 id="c24"><i><span class="large">NEW!</span></i> BIFF BREWSTER -<br />Mystery Adventures</h3> -<p class="center">By ANDY ADAMS</p> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/bflap.jpg" alt="Biff Brewster" width="258" height="799" /> -</div> -<p>Biff Brewster, sixteen, is a tall, strongly built -blond youth who lives in Indianapolis, Indiana, -with his parents and the eleven-year-old -twins, Ted and Monica. Because his -mother and father believe that travel is as -important to education as formal schooling, -Biff is encouraged to travel to various countries -during the vacation months. His experiences -in these lands, and the young people -he meets there, form the basis of a new series -for adventure-loving readers. In every journey -there is a strong element of mystery, usually a -direct result of conditions peculiar to the region -in which he is traveling. Thus, in addition -to adventure, these books impart carefully researched -information about foreign countries.</p> -<p><span class="ss"><i>Start reading one today</i>—</span></p> -<dl class="int"><dt>(1) BRAZILIAN GOLD MINE MYSTERY</dt> -<dt>(2) MYSTERY OF THE CHINESE RING</dt> -<dt>(3) HAWAIIAN SEA HUNT MYSTERY</dt> -<dt>(4) MYSTERY OF THE MEXICAN TREASURE</dt> -<dt>(5) AFRICAN IVORY MYSTERY</dt> -<dt>(6) ALASKA GHOST GLACIER MYSTERY</dt></dl> -<p class="tbcenter"><span class="ss">GROSSET & DUNLAP, Inc. Publisher -<br />New York 10, N. Y.</span></p> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/endpaper.jpg" alt="Endpapers" width="654" height="500" /> -</div> -<h2 id="tn">Transcriber’s Notes</h2><ul><li>Copyright notice provided as in the original—this e-text is public domain in the country of publication.</li> -<li>Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard spellings and dialect unchanged.</li> -<li>In the text versions, delimited italics text in _underscores_ (the HTML version reproduces the font form of the printed book.)</li></ul> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Mystery of the Chinese Ring, by Andy Adams - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MYSTERY OF THE CHINESE RING *** - -***** This file should be named 51608-h.htm or 51608-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/1/6/0/51608/ - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Dave Morgan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Mystery of the Chinese Ring - A Biff Brewster Mystery Adventure - -Author: Andy Adams - -Release Date: March 31, 2016 [EBook #51608] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MYSTERY OF THE CHINESE RING *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Dave Morgan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -[Illustration: _The boys passed booths selling everything from hot soups -to shiny silks_] - - A BIFF BREWSTER - MYSTERY ADVENTURE - - - - - MYSTERY - OF THE - CHINESE - RING - - - [Illustration: Compass] - - By ANDY ADAMS - - - GROSSET & DUNLAP PUBLISHERS - NEW YORK - - (c) GROSSET & DUNLAP, INC., 1960 - - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - - - - - Contents - - - CHAPTER PAGE - I A Mysterious Gift 1 - II Beware, Biff! 8 - III Under Chinese Eyes 13 - IV A Fortune Cooky 22 - V Jack Hudson 31 - VI Interrupted Message 39 - VII A "Spirited" Box 49 - VIII Still Missing 55 - IX Into the Jungle 64 - X The Barrier 70 - XI Inside China 81 - XII Shooting the Yangtze Rapids 90 - XIII The First Clue 101 - XIV The Circling Plane 112 - XV Bandits! 120 - XVI Strange Discovery 128 - XVII A Red Hot Lead 135 - XVIII The House of Kwang 144 - XIX Uncle Charlie's Story 152 - XX Muscles "Muscles" In 161 - XXI Out of the Frying Pan 168 - XXII Hong Kong and Points East 175 - - - - - MYSTERY OF THE CHINESE RING - - - - - CHAPTER 1 - A Mysterious Gift - - -Biff Brewster was suddenly awake--wide awake. The gray light of dawn -outlined the window of his first-floor bedroom. Something--or -someone--was outside. He felt sure of it. Something had prodded him out -of his deep sleep with startling suddenness. - -For a moment he lay still, eyes on the window, his ears sharply tuned -for the slightest sound. He knew, of course, that he might have been -awakened by a stray dog, or a night-prowling cat. But he didn't think -so. - -Very carefully, Biff slipped out of his bed. Bare-footed, he padded -noiselessly toward the window, taking care to remain outside the dim -shaft of early light coming through. He moved to one side of the window -and peered out cautiously. He detected a slight movement beneath a -gnarled apple tree about thirty feet away. Then suddenly, swiftly, a -figure emerged from behind the protection of the tree's drooping limbs. -The figure came at a run toward the window. It was a man, small and -slight of build. He was wearing blue jeans and a sweat shirt. On the -shirt's front there was an athletic letter--Biff couldn't make it -out--cut from luminous cloth, making it glow faintly in the dawn's -light. - -Biff drew back, pressing his body against the wall. A moment later a -white object, the size of a baseball, came hurtling into the room, -tearing a hole in the screen. It fell with a dull plop on Biff's pillow. -Biff held his breath, waiting. The man was leaving the yard on the run. -At the sidewalk, he slowed to a casual saunter. Apparently he did not -want to risk attracting the attention of some early riser. - -Biff waited. He counted slowly to a hundred, to make sure his strange -visitor was gone. Once more he looked out the window. Nothing moved in -the eerie light of the dawn. Biff turned away. Had he waited a few -seconds longer, he would have seen two men leave the shadows of a corner -tree and stealthily follow the hurler of the object. - -Biff snapped on the reading light by his bed and picked up the object -that had been tossed through his window. It was a round white rock, one -of those used to outline his mother's herb garden. More interesting was -the heavy piece of twine tied tightly around it. At the other end of the -twine was a ring. It was a man's heavy ring, set with a square-cut green -stone. Biff examined it carefully. The stone was dull, not glittering. -He wasn't sure, but he thought it was jade. He looked at the ring more -closely. On its face there was an intricately etched marking. "A -design?" he wondered. "No, it looks more like Chinese writing." - -[Illustration: _Nothing moved in the eerie light of dawn_] - -Twisted into a knot around the ring was a small piece of paper. Biff -unfolded it carefully and smoothed it out. - -"_Fortune shines upon, and the gods protect, the wearer of this ring_," -he read. - -"'Protect!'" Biff thought angrily. "Why, that rock could have conked me -but good if I hadn't left my bed." - -Biff reread the printed message. "Now what, just what," he thought, "has -this got to do with me?" He stretched out on his bed, cupping his hands -behind his head, and stared at the ceiling. Unable to read any sense -into the message, or the mysterious manner in which the ring had come to -him, Biff jumped out of bed and made for the shower. - -Under the pelting needlelike spray, he threw back his broad shoulders -and let the water sting his face and soak his light-brown hair. -Afterward he toweled himself vigorously, dressed quickly, and placed the -ring on his key chain. He knew his father would be up, even though it -was only six-thirty. Maybe his father would have some ideas about this -or, at least, a couple of good guesses. - -Biff bounded into the kitchen. - -"Morning, Dad. Say, what do you think happened--" He stopped short as he -saw his mother come out of the pantry. He didn't want to mention the -ring incident in front of her. Not yet, anyway. Not until he had -discussed it with his father. He knew his mother already was worried -enough about his impending trip to far-off Rangoon. Tomorrow was the day -he was leaving. - -"Good morning, Biff," his father greeted him. "What were you saying?" - -"Er--I was just saying it so happens I'm hungry enough to eat a -crocodile. Good morning, Mother. What's for breakfast?" - -"Certainly not crocodile," Mrs. Brewster replied. "Even if you and your -father do say crocodile steaks are delicious. Ugh!" She gave a quick -shudder. - -Father and son looked at one another and smiled. They had had to eat -crocodile on their Brazilian adventure when their food supplies had run -short. - -"What's on the program this nice bright Saturday morning?" Biff's mother -asked, putting large portions of scrambled eggs and bacon before Biff -and his father. - -Before a reply could be made, Biff's brother and sister, Ted and Monica, -eleven-year-old twins, burst into the room. - -"Hi, Mom! Hi, Dad!" they shouted together. - -"Gee, Biff, just think, tomorrow you'll be on your way to Rangoon in -Burma, to visit Uncle Charlie," Ted said enviously. - -"Wish I could go, too," Monica chimed in. - -"You! Why, you're a girl," Ted said derisively. - -"Now, no arguments, you two," Mrs. Brewster said. "Drink your orange -juice. I'll start your eggs." - -"How far from Indianapolis is it to Rangoon?" Monica asked. - -"Quite a way. Six or seven thousand miles at least," Mr. Brewster -replied. - -"You ever been there, Dad?" Ted asked. - -"No. I envy Biff. Rangoon is one of the places in this world I've missed -so far." - -"And about the only one, Dad, isn't it?" Biff asked. - -"There are a few others," his father replied. "Maybe if I had started -out as young as you are, I'd have made them, too. For a -sixteen-year-old, you've been about this world of ours quite a bit, me -boy-o. Well, I'm all for it." - -"I am too, Dad," Biff agreed. "Remember the time in Brazil, when we--" - -"Hold it!" Mrs. Brewster interrupted, laughing. "Don't you two get -started talking about your adventures. There's just this one more day -before Biff leaves, and my goodness, what a lot has to be done!" - -Biff smiled. He knew there was hardly anything left to be done. His -mother had finished packing for him the day before. - -Just as Mrs. Brewster brought the twins their eggs, the telephone rang. -Monica started to get up. She answered every phone call. - -"You sit still and eat those eggs while they're hot, young lady. I'll -take the call," Mrs. Brewster said. - -Biff and his father saw a puzzled look come over her face as she -answered the telephone. - -"Yes? I understand. This morning? All right, I'll tell them." - -When she returned to the breakfast table she said, "That was Charlie's -friend, that Chinese merchant, Mr. Ling. Ling Tang, isn't it?" - -"Why, yes. What did he want?" Tom Brewster asked. - -"He said it is most urgent that you and Biff see him before Biff leaves -for Rangoon." - - - - - CHAPTER II - Beware, Biff! - - -"I think we'd better get down to Ling Tang's shop this morning," Mr. -Brewster said. "It must be something important for him to have called so -early. Especially if he knows Biff is leaving for Burma tomorrow." - -Biff waited until his father had finished his second cup of coffee, and -then rose from the table. - -"All set, Dad?" he asked. "I'll get the car." - -Not until they were in the car did Biff bring up the subject of the -ring. - -"What do you think of this, Dad?" He took his key chain from his pocket, -removed the ring, and placed it in his father's hand. - -Thomas Brewster looked at the ring carefully. "It's a beautiful ring. -Jade. Where did you get it?" - -"Someone threw it at me this morning," Biff said, a grin on his tanned -face. - -"Threw it at you? What do you mean?" - -Biff explained quickly, then handed the note to his father. - -"Read this." - -Mr. Brewster read the words: "_Fortune shines upon, and the gods -protect, the wearer of this ring._" He looked back at his son, shaking -his head in puzzlement. - -"This is all? You haven't any idea who the man was?" - -"Not the faintest, Dad." - -"H-m-m." Mr. Brewster studied the ring again. "Jade, and it looks -Chinese. That call from Ling Tang may be connected with this in some -way." - -"Hey! Maybe you've hit on something!" Biff exclaimed. - -It was nine o'clock when Biff and his father entered the small Chinese -curio shop of Ling Tang. Ling Tang, a small, neat man in his middle -thirties, greeted them with a deep bow. - -"You honor my humble establishment by your presence," he said. - -"Rather it is you who honor us by inviting us here," Mr. Brewster -replied, falling easily into the polite form of greeting used by the -Chinese. - -Ling Tang's shop was filled with graceful Chinese urns and vases, -beautifully decorated with green and red dragons, flowers, and -tree-filled valleys. Chinese fans hung from wires stretched from wall to -wall. In glass-covered cases were carved idols of jade and delicate -pieces of ivory. A heavy aroma of incense filled the small store. - -Ling Tang had attended Butler University in Indianapolis with Charles -Keene, the uncle Biff was going to visit. They had become close friends, -and this had led to a friendship with the entire Brewster family. On -graduating, Ling Tang had returned to China. After several years, when -the political atmosphere of Red China had put a stern, cruel check on -freedom of movement and freedom of speech, Ling Tang had fled his -beloved country and returned to America. He had opened his shop and -thrived. - -"We received your message, Tang," Mr. Brewster said. - -Ling Tang placed the tips of his long, well-cared-for fingers together. - -"It is true that your son goes to Burma soon?" - -"Yes. Tomorrow." - -Tang's face remained expressionless. "Perhaps what I have to tell you is -of no importance. I do not wish to alarm you." He paused. "This trip was -arranged several months ago?" - -Biff and his father nodded their heads. - -"And there has been no attempt to keep it secret?" - -"There was no need to," Thomas Brewster stated. - -"I wonder. Was the boy's trip not arranged when my good friend Charles -Keene visited here last?" - -"Yes. But I don't see--" Biff began. - -"Your Uncle Charles had just returned from Cape Canaveral, had he not?" - -Biff nodded his head. Uncle Charlie had been in the Navy for several -years. He was a pilot in the squadron of planes assigned to tracking -missiles fired from the Cape into the South Atlantic. It was the -squadron's task to recover the instrument-loaded nose cones dropped from -the powerful rockets. - -Uncle Charlie had bounced around the world quite a bit. He had flown a -fighter plane during the Korean conflict and had traveled as much as he -could about the Orient on his furlough time. He remained in the Navy -following Korea, and was delighted when he was assigned to Canaveral. -But after two years there, his traveling feet told him, "I want out." So -he had resigned his commission to join an old pilot friend establishing -a fleet of planes for Explorations Unlimited, in Burma. Charles Keene -wanted badly to get back to the Orient. He was fascinated by the eastern -countries so different from his own. - -"I'm interested in the money, too," he told the Brewster family on his -visit. "There're plenty of American businesses building up in the -Orient. Flying for this outfit in Burma is real opportunity and big -money. I want some of both before I'm too old." - -Explorations Unlimited had its headquarters at Unhao, on the Irrawaddy -River, northeast of Rangoon near the Chinese border. - -"Why don't you ship Biff out to me for a few weeks?" Uncle Charlie had -suggested. "He could get a glimpse of the other side of the world--learn -a lot, too." - -Those words had been music to Biff's young ears. A family council had -been held, and it had been agreed that the trip would be a good way for -Biff to spend the remainder of his summer vacation. - -"About a month after your uncle's visit," Tang continued, "two men, -countrymen of mine, traveling on Burmese passports, arrived here. They -asked many questions about your uncle." - -"I still don't see what that has to do with Biff's going to Rangoon," -Mr. Brewster said. - -"I try your patience," Tang said. "Now to my point. Only last night -these same two men came again to our city. This time, _they were most -curious about your son, Biff_." - - - - - CHAPTER III - Under Chinese Eyes - - -"You said two men," Biff repeated. "I'll just bet you that one of them -was the joker who paid me a visit this morning!" - -"You had a visitor? Early this morning?" Ling Tang asked. - -"I'll say I did. Not a visitor, though. A spy, maybe--sneaking around -the yard and--" - -"Hold it, Biff," his father interrupted. "Why don't you show Mr. Ling -what the intruder brought you?" - -"Brought me," Biff muttered to himself as he opened the safety catch of -his key chain. "Some way to bring anything to someone!" He removed the -ring from a tangle of keys--to his foot-locker, his suitcase, a "secret" -box, and to several things he had long since forgotten about. Taking the -ring by the thick circle of gold, he held it out to the Chinese -gentleman. - -Ling took the ring in his thin hands. He looked at it carefully. - -"A beautiful piece of jade," he murmured. Bringing the ring closer to -his eyes, he took a loupe--a jeweler's magnifying glass--from his pocket -to inspect the ring more minutely. While he did this, Biff filled him in -on how the ring had been "delivered." - -"Exquisitely carved," Tang said, removing the loupe from his eye. - -"What's carved on it?" Biff asked. - -"It's the Chinese character which, roughly, would stand for the capital -letter 'K.'" - -"Does that have any significance for you, Tang?" Mr. Brewster asked. - -"Indeed it does. This is the ring of the great House of Kwang. Before -the Communists took over, it was one of the richest and strongest houses -in all China. This ring was worn by the Great Lord of the house, and by -his sons, the young lords." - -"It's funny I should get one of them," Biff said, laughing. "I'm no -young lord." - -Ling Tang smiled. "Most mysterious, true," he agreed. - -"And if they wanted to give me a ring, why didn't they just send it to -me, instead of throwing it through my window and ruining the screen?" - -"You did receive it in a most dramatic fashion." - -"You can bet all the tea in China I did," Biff said. - -"Perhaps, young man," Ling said, "you received it as you did, so that he -who presented it to you could keep his identity a secret. Even more -important"--Ling paused to drive home his point--"he did it to keep you -from seeing what he looked like." - -Biff and his father exchanged concerned glances. - -"Were you acquainted with the House of Kwang? Did you know its master?" -Mr. Brewster asked. - -"It is an old, old family, once strong, once rich." An expression of -sadness passed fleetingly across Tang's face. "Until the Reds moved in -and made ruthless changes, the House of Kwang lived in the same age-old -feudal manner as had the founder of the family generations ago. They had -rich farm lands and houses of many courts. In the Old Lord's house, he -who was called the Ancient One, there were more than a hundred courts. -In America you would call them apartments or suites. Each court had its -sleeping room. A room for eating. And a room, beautifully decorated with -a small fish pond in its center, where the lords of the house would go -to think and meditate and honor the memories of their fathers and their -fathers' fathers." - -"And this no longer exists?" Mr. Brewster asked his friend. - -"Gone. All gone. The farm lands divided up into small communes; the -mines, the grain-storage house snatched away. But the family still -clings together. They still resist. Many of them are in hiding from -local Red officials. The earthly possessions of the House of Kwang have -been torn from them. But the family is still a proud one. They aid one -another, even to helping the older members escape into the free world." - -Thomas Brewster had been doing some heavy thinking. "Tang," he said. -"Tell me this. In what part of China was the House of Kwang located?" - -"In the province of Yunnan, south and somewhat west of Kunming, the -capital of the province." - -Mr. Brewster was creating the map of China in his mind's eye. "That -would be near the border of Burma." - -Ling Tang nodded his head gravely. - -"Not far from Unhao, on the Irrawaddy River?" Biff's father inquired. - -"Your memory of China is excellent, my friend. Once the Old Lord, Tao -Kwang, made annual pilgrimages to Rangoon to visit the shrine of the -Gautama Buddha, the magnificent pagoda of Shwe Dagon." - -Biff was beginning to put the pieces together. "I still don't get it -loud and clear, but Uncle Charlie's located at Unhao. That's where I'm -going. And Uncle Charlie's in Rangoon a lot, isn't he?" - -"Yes, Biff. He is." - -"But the ring--why would someone want me to have it? Do you suppose they -want me to take it with me?" - -"That, my boy, is the question we'd all like to have the answer to," Mr. -Brewster replied. - -"Gosh. Maybe I shouldn't take the ring with me." - -Tang spoke up quickly. "Oh, but I think you should. Its manner of -delivery hints of peril. But its message speaks of fortune and safety." - -Biff took the ring back. As he did so, a young, smiling Chinese entered -the store hurriedly. - -"So sorry, revered elder cousin, so sorry to be late. I change quickly -and take over my duties." - -Tang smiled as the young Chinese hurried to the rear of the store. Biff -had noticed the young man was wearing jeans and a sweat shirt. On the -front of the shirt was the letter "K!" Biff turned and looked sharply -after him. - -"Who was that, sir?" Biff inquired of Ling Tang. - -"My young cousin--one of them," Tang said. "He works afternoons for the -Kirby Ice Cream Co. He is much enthused about your game of soft ball. He -is of the team called the Kirby Koolers." - -"Well, thanks for your information, Tang. Guess we'd better be going," -Mr. Brewster said. - -"I'll say hello to Uncle Charlie for you, Mr. Ling," Biff said. - -"That will be most kind of you," the Chinese replied. - -Both bowed to Ling Tang, and he returned their gesture with a deep bow -of his own. - -Biff and his father were thoughtful as they walked to their parked car. -Something was building. No doubt about that. But what? What was the -answer to, or the connection between, the spying stranger, the ring, and -Biff's coming visit to his Uncle Charlie? The answers to those questions -were not to be found that day. - -At home, Mrs. Brewster's first question was, "Biff, who ruined the -screen in your room?" - -Biff looked helplessly at his father, who merely shrugged his shoulders. - -"A rock, Mother. This morning, early. Fooling around...." - -"I thought, young man, you were old enough to know better than to toss -rocks around carelessly." - -Biff heaved a sigh of relief. He was going to get out of this easily. -Neither he nor his father wanted to tell Mrs. Brewster the real reason -for the hole in the screen. They didn't want to worry her. - -"Now," Mrs. Brewster said briskly, "we've lots to do today. We'll have -no time in the morning. We'll have to leave for the airport early. Now -here's what I want you to do, Biff...." - - -On the morning of his departure, Biff again woke early. He could hear -noises throughout the house and sniffed at the friendly smells of -breakfast being prepared. Everybody was up. They were all going with him -to the airport. Biff looked at his watch. It was nearly seven by the -time he was dressed. In one hour and fifteen minutes he would be -air-borne, on his way to Chicago, the first leg in a journey that would -take him halfway around the world. - -Breakfast was a funny kind of a meal that morning--not the food, but the -way the whole family acted. The twins, of course, kept up a steady, -excited chatter. Any trip to the airport made them bubble like a bottle -of pop. But Biff and his mother and father either all tried to talk at -the same time, or suddenly remained silent at the same time. - -"Biff gets all the breaks," Ted complained. "Don't see why I can't go, -too." - -"Because you're too young, that's why," retorted his twin sister, -Monica. "You're just eleven." - -"You are, too," the younger boy shot back. "Way you act, anybody'd think -you were older'n me." - -"Your time will come, Ted," Mr. Brewster said, acting as a peacemaker -between his youngest children. "When you're five years older, like Biff, -the world will still be here. There'll be plenty of chances for you to -spread your wings and fly." - -"Right," said Ted emphatically. "And I'll go by rocket." - -"But what about me? I'm a girl," Monica wailed. - -"Yes, Tom. Answer that one," Martha Brewster said with a laugh. "Don't -worry, Monica," she continued, "we women will show these men a thing or -two." - -"Like what?" the girl said, pouting. - -"Like how fast you can get ready. Right now. We have to leave for the -airport." - -As they drove into the busy terminal, Biff felt a lump in the pit of his -stomach. First signs of homesickness, he thought. It had happened -before. Biff always felt homesick at these last moments. But once he was -under way, the feeling left him. Except sometimes late at night, just -before he fell asleep. - -This time, though, it was different. This was the first time Biff was -going to be all on his own. Before, his adventures had been shared with -his father. True, he'd be with his Uncle Charlie, but as nice a guy as -Uncle Charlie was, uncles weren't the same as fathers. - -Biff checked in and had his ticket cleared. At the gate, he ruffled his -brother's hair, gave him a quick hug, and turned to Monica. He lifted -her off her feet and planted a big "smack" on her plump cheek. -Unashamedly, he embraced his mother in front of the crowded gate, then -turned to his father. - -The two shook hands, and Mr. Brewster placed a hand on Biff's shoulder. - -"You have the ring in a safe place?" he asked softly. - -Biff nodded his head and touched his side trouser pocket. He had -fastened the key chain to a longer, stronger chain which was attached to -his belt loop. - -"I wouldn't display it, Biff." - -Biff nodded. He felt tears coming to his eyes, but he was through the -gate and up the plane's loading platform before anyone could see them. -Moments later, the plane was taxiing out to the runway for the take-off. -Biff, looking through the window, could see his family waving. - -After the plane's four engines had been warmed up and tested, the giant -airliner lurched forward, and in seconds was air-borne. First stop -Chicago. Change to a jetliner for San Francisco. Next stop Hawaii. Then -Tokyo, Hong Kong, and finally Rangoon. - -Biff unfastened his seat belt when the lighted sign snapped off, and -looked about him. The plane was only half filled. He glanced to the -rear, and his heart started pounding. Seated in the last seat on the -plane's starboard side were two Chinese. They returned Biff's stare -without expression. One of them, Biff noticed, seemed to have but one -good eye. The other eye was nothing but a thin slit. - - - - - CHAPTER IV - A Fortune Cooky - - -Biff's connections at Chicago with the jetliner for San Francisco went -without a hitch. In less than an hour the sleek, silvery plane was in -the air, circling over the bustling city of Chicago. It pointed its -slender nose westward, and began a race with the sun to the Pacific -Ocean. - -The liner seemed to hang motionless over the broad plains of the West. -Even the towering peaks of the Rocky Mountains passed backward beneath -the plane slowly, as if the plane were barely moving, instead of slicing -through the air at nearly 700 miles per hour. - -Once they were in the air, Biff, as casually as he could, had let his -eyes sweep the length of the plane, trying to see if the two Chinese -were still with him. There were no Orientals on this flight. - -By early afternoon the plane had left the mountains behind it and was -starting its long glide to lose altitude as it neared San Francisco. Far -ahead, Biff could see the blue waters of the Pacific, sparkling under -the rays of the sun, now standing high in the sky. Before he realized -it, the plane was circling over San Francisco Bay. Biff saw the -beautiful Golden Gate Bridge, arching gracefully over the harbor. - -After a two-hour layover, during which time Biff's papers and baggage -were cleared by customs, the boy boarded the plane which was to take him -to his final destination, Burma. - -The sun had a good lead on the plane by the time the huge airliner took -off. It would soon disappear over the horizon, and darkness would greet -the touch-down in Honolulu. - -Once the plane was over the water, Biff turned in his seat for a final -glance at his homeland. He could just see the hills of San Francisco, -fading rapidly behind him. As he turned more toward the front, his eye -was caught by two Chinese passengers. - -Biff looked at them closely. They were dressed in long, flowing robes. -The robes were brightly colored in greens and reds and were -gold-trimmed. Their wearers had tight skull caps worn low on their -foreheads, and each wore heavy, dark sun glasses. Could they be the same -two who had been on the plane with him from Indianapolis to Chicago? For -a closer look, Biff walked to the rear of the plane for a drink of -water. He stood just in back of the pair and inspected the men closely. -They could be the same men, he decided. But he couldn't be sure. It was -difficult for him to tell one Chinese from another. And the change, if -these were the same two, from American clothes to Oriental, made such a -difference that it was impossible for Biff to be certain. - -Biff decided on a bold move. He stopped at the seat where the two -Orientals sat impassively, staring straight ahead. - -"I'm going to Rangoon," he said, a friendly smile breaking out on his -face. "To a place very near the Chinese border. Are you going to -Rangoon, or Hong Kong?" - -There was no answer. - -"Don't you speak English?" Biff asked. - -"I'm afraid they don't," a voice said behind him. - -Biff whirled. It was the stewardess. "Can I help you?" she asked. - -"No," Biff said lamely. "I was just--er--just going to get a glass of -water." - -The stewardess moved on. Biff downed the glass of water which he didn't -need and started back to his seat. As he came to the side where the -Chinese were sitting, he decided to try a little trick. - -He bent toward the floor of the plane. - -"Is that your glasses case on the floor?" he asked. - -The Chinese in the outside seat bent forward. His hand reached down, -feeling by his feet. Then, quickly realizing he had given himself away, -he sat up straight, and stared ahead. - -A big smile of satisfaction decorated Biff's face as he settled himself -in his seat. He knew one thing about them at least. They understood -English--but good! And they could have taken another airline from -Chicago to San Francisco. - -Biff's swift flight was without further incident as the plane sped -across the Pacific. Then he was on the last leg--the flight from Hong -Kong to Rangoon. - -It was the middle of the afternoon, an hour after the take-off from Hong -Kong. Rangoon was still nearly three hours away. The stewardesses were -serving tea. With it they served almond cookies and, as a favor from the -air lines, each passenger received a fortune cooky, a small delicate -piece of folded, crisply cooked dough. Inside each fortune cooky was a -narrow ribbon of paper on which was printed a short saying--usually -humorous. Biff remembered them from the Chinese restaurant he went to -with the family every so often back in Indianapolis. - -He smiled as he remembered one he had once gotten. It had read: "Man who -count chickens before they hatch is egghead." - -Biff finished his tea. He reached for the fortune cooky. Just as he did -so, someone lurched against his shoulder, upsetting the tray. Cup, -saucer, and fortune cooky fell to the floor. Both Biff and the awkward -passenger reached to pick up the scrambled tray. Biff's eyes met his -helper's--it was one of the two Chinese! There was no reason for him to -have stumbled. The plane was flying smoothly. It appeared to Biff that -the shoulder bumping had been intentional. - -"So sorry," the Chinese said. His dark glasses glinted as he -straightened up. "Too bad. Fortune cooky smashed to bits. But slip of -paper still okay." - -Smiling briefly, he handed Biff the slender slip of tissue paper, and -made his way hurriedly forward. - -Biff watched him go, still puzzled by the man's action. The boy smoothed -out the slip. It had only a Chinese character scrawled on it. Through -the Chinese printing had been drawn a red "X." "Now what the dickens is -this?" Biff thought. He started to crumple the paper, but something -about it held his attention. There was something familiar about it. Then -he had it. Carefully, he took out his key chain. He bent low, and -compared the character on the cooky slip with that on the surface of the -ring's green stone. They were identical--the letter "K!"--the seal of -the lords of the House of Kwang. - -Was this a warning of some kind? Did the red "X" cancel out the -protection and good fortune the ring was supposed to insure? But why? -Why? Biff's brain kept signaling that one word with its question mark. - -The plane climbed over the coastal mountains of Viet Nam, dropped down -to skim over the rice fields of Thailand, then swung out over the Bay of -Bengal for its approach to Rangoon. - -As the plane banked, Biff could see the many mouths of the Irrawaddy -River, spread out like long fingers from the broad, brown arm of the -river itself. - -The plane came low over the bay on its approach to the city, and Biff -could see the colorful sails of the _dhows_, the native craft which -dotted the harbor. Some of the sails were bright red, some dirty brown. -Many wore patches of every color of the rainbow. - -The plane followed the course of the Hlaing River, twenty-one miles -inland to the city of Rangoon. Standing out against the low, white -buildings, Biff saw the pagoda of Shwe Dagon, rising nearly 400 feet -skyward. It was entirely covered with gold leaf which glistened in the -setting sun. Then he remembered. Ling Tang had told him this was the -important shrine of Buddha where the head of the House of Kwang used to -worship. - -Biff stretched and twisted. In spite of the cooky accident and the red -"X," he smiled. "Almost there, at last," he said to the passing -stewardess. - -The long trip had been pleasant enough, but being confined to a plane -for three days and three nights had become monotonous. Just as soon as -he could, Biff bounded down the ramp from the airliner and ran eagerly -to the entrance of the airport terminal. - -Through the portal into the terminal, Biff was caught up in a swirling -mass of figures. Fat merchants, skinny students, long-robed mandarins, -ragged beggars, and men in the uniforms of all the world's military -forces milled about the huge room. Biff searched the crowds, trying to -spot his Uncle Charlie. He was nowhere to be seen. - -Worried minutes followed. Then Biff saw a tall, very thin Oriental, -wearing a long, straight white robe approach. The man came up to Biff. -With hands clasped to his chest, he bowed low. - -"Sahib Brewster?" he asked. - -"I'm Biff Brewster," the boy answered, thinking, "Gee, I'm a sahib!" - -"I come from Sahib Charles Keene. He had planned to meet you. However, -an emergency arose, and he had to fly to the north. But he should be -back at Unhao by the time we get there." - -"Oh." Biff was slightly shaken by this unexpected turn of events. "And -how do we get there, then?" - -"It is all arranged. Another pilot was dispatched to pick you up when -your uncle was unable to come himself. Come. If you will follow me, even -now the plane is ready." The Oriental turned, and a path in the human -mass seemed to open for him. - -Biff followed, still not sure of this man. - -"Hey," he called. "Wait a minute!" - -The Oriental paused and turned to the boy. - -"I'd like to know your name," Biff said. "I don't like calling people -just 'hey.'" - -The Oriental's puzzled expression changed to a slight smile as -understanding of Biff's "hey" came to him. "I am called Nam Palung, head -of the servants in your uncle's house." - -"Okay, Nam. But what about getting through customs?" - -"That is all arranged. Your uncle is a man of much importance and -influence. Come. We must hurry before darkness spreads its mantle upon -the land." - -Biff didn't like being rushed like this. "Yeah, but what about my -luggage--my suitcase and trunk?" - -"Even now they precede us to the plane. All is cared for." - -The whole business seemed a bit cockeyed to Biff, but then, shrugging -his shoulders, he followed Nam to the northern exit of the terminal. - -Nam walked quickly, his fast, short steps limited by the skirt of his -robe. Even so, Biff had to step up his pace to stay with the man. - -Suspicion again came to Biff as they left the terminal building and -appeared to be taking a direction away from the airport. - -"Look, Nam. Just where are we going? The airstrips are back that way." - -"Those, Sahib Brewster," Nam replied, "are for the commercial airlines -planes. Private planes, such as those used by Explorations Unlimited, -use a different part of the field." - -Biff's suspicions dropped a degree. Nam's explanation made sense. His -suspicions dropped still further when Nam reached a jeep, and with a low -bow, indicated that Biff was to get in. - -An American jeep, Biff thought. They're found everywhere. The small -vehicle represented home and safety to Biff. He hopped aboard, and Nam -took his place behind the wheel. Biff looked across the airport where a -mile away, several small planes were clustered. He figured that was -where they were heading. He heard a rustling behind him and turned -abruptly. In the jeep's rear seat now sat, as if they had appeared out -of thin air, two more Orientals. Both were dressed like Nam. But, as -Biff looked at them more closely, he noticed that each man's hand was -partly thrust into a fold of his robe, and each hand clasped the hilt of -a slender dagger. Biff turned to Nam, alarmed. - -"Who are those men--with knives--" His voice shook in spite of his -attempt to control it. - -Nam interrupted. His manner was no longer courteous, his voice no longer -smooth. His reply was stem and harsh. - -"You will remain silent. Any outcry, any attempt to escape, and my men -have been told to use those knives." - - - - - CHAPTER V - Jack Hudson - - -Nam Palung meant business. There was no question about that. But Biff -had no intention of yielding without a struggle. He would make his -escape if at all possible. Right now, though, as his mind whirled trying -to think his way out of this predicament, it would be best to do exactly -as he had been told. - -Biff promised himself one thing. Once he was free of Nam Palung he, Biff -Brewster, was going to give himself, Biff Brewster, one swift kick. He -had been played for a sucker, a trusting, easy-to-take American, and he -had filled the role perfectly. How, he now thought, could he have been -so taken in? - -The jeep rolled across the field. Biff shot a sidelong glance at Nam -Palung. The jeep moved at a steady pace, not fast enough to attract -attention. It was headed toward a gate in the high wire fence -surrounding the airfield through which service trucks passed. He noticed -that the gate was blocked by an iron bar, raised to allow a vehicle to -pass underneath it. When raised, the bar on its upright poles looked -like a football goal post. - -As the jeep drew near and fell in line behind a truck and a small car, -Biff noticed the bar was raised just sufficiently to allow about a -foot's clearance for the vehicle passing beneath. An idea came into -Biff's head. He turned to look over his shoulder at his knife-bearing -guards. - -"Keep your head straight forward," Nam ordered. "And no tricks as we -pass the gateman." - -Biff watched the truck ahead pass through. It slowed down without -stopping as it passed under the raised bar. The bar was lowered to stop -position after the truck's tail-gate went through. Next came the smaller -car, its roof much lower than the truck's. Again the bar was raised, but -this time, just high enough to accommodate the car, leaving about two -feet between it and the car's top. - -Now the jeep approached the bar barricade. The bar began rising slowly. -Biff watched it, his heart in his mouth. "Don't let them raise it too -high," he prayed. Biff leaned slightly forward, placing his weight on -his firmly planted feet. He tensed his leg and thigh muscles until they -felt like tightly coiled steel springs. - -The bar was about three feet higher than tall Nam's head. Biff waited -until the front of the jeep was directly under the bar. Then he leaped -up as if he'd been blasted off a launching pad. His hands seized the -bar. Like a trapeze artist, he swung his body forward in a giant arc. At -the top of his swing, when his body was parallel to the ground, Biff -twisted his head, looking over his shoulder as his body started a swift -downward stroke. At the split second, he lashed out with his feet. One -foot struck the left knife-wielder square on the side of his head. The -man shot over the side of the jeep as if jerked by the hand of a giant. - -Biff's other foot struck the second knife-wielder full in his chest, -toppling him out the back of the jeep. - -Now Biff was propelling himself into the backward arc of his swing. -Again his body came swiftly downward. He lashed at Nam, planting both -his feet solidly in the Oriental's shoulders. Nam shot forward, his head -striking the windshield. - -Biff swung his body sideways, and dropped to the ground. He ran back -toward the terminal building, nearly half a mile away. After a hundred -yards, he slowed to catch his breath. Turning, he looked back at the -jeep. There was no need to run. Nam still lay sprawled over the steering -wheel. One of the knife-bearers was out of sight, apparently still -sprawled on the ground on the other side of the jeep. The other guard -was just rising from behind the jeep. Biff saw him stagger, still not -fully recovered. - -[Illustration: _He ran back toward the terminal building_] - -There would be no more trouble with those three, Biff said to himself. -Not right away, at any rate. The boy continued toward the terminal -building at a rapid walk. He didn't run, no need to, and if he did, he -might attract attention. He might be stopped. Explanations would be -demanded. The gate-keeper might come up and describe what had happened. - -Biff needed time to think. What was his next move? - -"Guess I'll have to play it by ear," he told himself, and what, he -wondered, had happened to Uncle Charlie? Had he been waylaid by those -same three? - -Inside the teeming terminal building, Biff mingled with the constantly -moving crowds. He hoped he wouldn't be noticeable, but there was little -chance of that. In his American clothes, gray slacks and open-necked -shirt, he was as noticeable as an Oriental dressed in mandarin clothes -would have been at the Indianapolis airport. - -There was only one thing to do, Biff decided. Go to the airline check-in -counter and see if any message had been left him by his uncle. The boy -approached the counter cautiously. He wanted to look around before -identifying himself. - -Biff sidled up to the counter. A tall, handsome man, about thirty years -old, was leaning over the counter, questioning the clerk intensely. He -was wearing white drill trousers and a white shirt open at the collar. A -well-shaped, close-cropped head topped a strong neck and broad -shoulders. He spoke to the clerk in a voice filled with authority. -Unless he was badly fooled again, Biff felt sure that this man was an -American, and there was something about him that the boy liked -immediately. - -"Hold it," Biff told himself. "Let's not jump too fast this time." - -Standing behind the man, Biff saw him take out a worn wallet from his -hip pocket. - -"Now you listen to me. I'm Jack Hudson. I'm a pilot for Explorations -Unlimited. Here, take a look at my papers. I'm here to meet a boy named -Biff Brewster, and I want to know where he is. Right now!" - -The clerk leaned on the counter. He carefully inspected the list of -names on the paper in front of him. - -"So sorry. No name like one you say on this list." - -"Is that your passenger manifest list?" the man, Jack Hudson, demanded. - -The clerk nodded his head. - -Without asking, without waiting, Hudson snatched the list from the man's -hand. - -"Here. You can't do that!" - -Hudson ignored the clerk. His eye ran down the list quickly. - -"And just what do you think this name is?" Hudson held his index finger -beside one of the names. - -"Oh, so sorry. I guess I no understand your talk." - -"Fat chance," Hudson said angrily. "Now you just tell me where that boy -is." - -Biff had made up his mind. He couldn't be mistaken in this man of -action. - -"I think you're looking for me, sir," Biff said and placed his hand on -Jack Hudson's arm. - -Hudson swung around. He looked Biff up and down, slowly, carefully, -sizing him up, before answering. - -"If I weren't so glad to see you, I'd ask where the devil you've been." -Then, seeing Biff's face fall, Hudson smiled, a warm, immediately -friendly smile. "But the important thing is I've found you." - -"I guess it is mostly my fault that you've had trouble meeting me," Biff -confessed. "I had a little mixup with--" He cut his sentence short. -Perhaps he had better wait until he got to know Jack Hudson better -before revealing all the mysterious happenings that had taken place from -that early hour in the morning four days ago, back in Indianapolis. - -"Well, part of it's my fault, too," Jack said. "Or the weather's. Coming -in from Unhao, I ran into a terrific headwind. Should have allowed for -it. These winds spring up all the time in these parts. I was late. But -come on now, we've got to clear you with customs and get your gear." - -Jack Hudson, with a forcefulness sharp enough to cut any red tape, -literally bulldozed Biff through a maze of inspections, checks, and -rechecks. - -"I'm slipping," he grinned at Biff when the boy had been cleared. "Took -me thirty-one minutes. My record's twenty-nine. Come on. We've got to -make with the plane back to Unhao. Fast. Lots to be done." - -"That sure suits me. I'm anxious to see my uncle." - -"Hope he's there when we get back." A frown creased Jack's face as he -spoke. - -"He will be, won't he? That's what I was told, that the emergency came -up quickly and--" Biff ended his sentence feeling foolish. He suddenly -remembered who had told him the story. - -"Emergency? I don't know of any emergency. Your uncle wasn't even in -Unhao today. It was arranged for me to pick you up before he left." - -"Before he left? What do you mean?" Biff was getting puzzled. - -"Your uncle flew out of Unhao over a week ago." - - - - - CHAPTER VI - Interrupted Message - - -Darkness had spread over the airfield by the time Biff and Jack Hudson -reached the "Explorations" plane. It was a twin-engine Cessna, a -five-passenger, capable of a speed of 250 miles per hour. - -"Hop in, Biff," Jack said. "Be my co-pilot." - -Jack stowed Biff's gear, and took his place in the pilot's seat. As -quick to action as Hudson was, he was also a sober, careful pilot. He -warmed up the plane's motors. He tested the wing flaps. He made a -thorough instrument check. Then he called the tower for take-off -instructions. - -The plane moved to its assigned runway. Once more Jack revved up his -engines. Then, the brakes released, the plane started rolling down the -runway. Once it was air-borne, Jack put the plane in a steep climb, made -a wide circle over the city of Rangoon, then headed north, following the -Irrawaddy River. - -"How long before we get there?" Biff asked. - -"About four hours. If we don't hit any weather. Unhao's about fifty -miles north of Myitkyina. 'Bout eleven hundred miles from here." - -"How big's Unhao. Is it much of a place?" Biff asked. - -Jack grinned. "Take a look back at Rangoon. That's the last civilization -you're going to see for a while." - -The plane sped through the night. As the moon rose out of the South -China Sea, its light turned the Irrawaddy River, thousands of feet -below, into a slender silvery ribbon, reflecting the moon's rays like a -long sliver of mirror. - -Jack Hudson put the plane on automatic pilot. He reached behind him and -brought out two boxes. He handed one to Biff. - -"Hungry?" - -Biff hadn't thought about eating. But now, he realized he was ravenous. -"I'll say I am. Thanks a lot." He practically tore open the box and -chomped on the sandwiches with an appetite that made Jack wonder when -the boy had last eaten. - -Just before midnight, Hudson switched on the plane's radio transmitter -and called the landing strip at Unhao. - -"Keep your eyes dead ahead for the next few minutes," he told Biff. "I -always get a thrill out of it." - -Biff did as he was told. He peered intently through the windshield into -the night. Clouds had obscured the moon, and all was darkness. Not a -light could be seen anywhere. - -Suddenly, as if by magic, the letter "X" blazed out of the jungle, -twenty miles ahead. It was so startling that Biff gasped in amazement. - -"Our landing field. I told them we'd be in in about ten minutes and to -turn on the lights. We have two runways. One from southwest to -northeast. The other from southeast to northwest. They bisect in the -center, forming a perfect 'X.' I think it's a wonderful sight." - -"It sure is," Biff replied. - -For the next few minutes, Jack's entire attention was devoted to the -landing. The plane swooped out of the dark, flashed over the landing -field, circled and entered its final glide path. Biff felt the lurch -which told him they had touched down. Jack taxied the plane toward the -hangars. - -"Well, here we are," he said to Biff. "Welcome to Unhao." - -Despite the excitement of landing in this strange isolated spot in Upper -Burma, Biff couldn't hold back a yawn. He was just plain, dog-tired. It -had been four nights since he had slept in a bed. Oh, he had slept. But -sleeping in a sitting position, he told himself, would never replace the -good, old stretch-out type of snooze. - -Native servants swarmed around the plane. Biff and his gear were -deposited in a jeep standing by. Jack hopped behind the wheel. The jeep, -with natives clinging to every possible foot and hand-hold, headed -through the night toward Headquarters House, a quarter of a mile away. - -Headquarters House was a combination office, communications center, and -living quarters for the staff of Explorations Unlimited. Sleeping rooms, -resembling those of Bachelor Officers' Quarters on an army post, filled -one ell of the building. Into one of these went Biff. Moments after his -head hit the pillow, he was in a deep sleep, in spite of the murky heat -that was unrelieved by the lateness of the night. - -Around five o'clock in the morning, as dawn was transforming the -night-blackened jungle into a greenish maze, Biff was awakened by the -sound of running feet passing his door. These were followed by others. -The whole building seemed to spring to life. Something was up. - -Biff jumped out of bed. First he went to the window. Looking out, he saw -a tremendous animal faintly outlined in the morning mists not more than -thirty feet away. Just as he was about to call out, he saw the floppy -ears and the swaying trunk of the animal raise toward the sky, and let -go with a trumpeting that rattled the windows. Biff had to smile at -himself. What was an elephant doing wandering around loose at that time -of the morning? "Some difference from home," he thought. - -Biff dressed quickly. He hurried down the hallway toward the center of -Headquarters House. Sounds of activity came from the communications -center. He paused in the doorway. Jack Hudson and two other men were -bunched together around a short-wave receiver. Static crackled -throughout the room. One of the men picked up a hand microphone. - -"This is H H One, calling. This is Happy Harry One calling X 0369. Come -in X 0369. Repeat: Come in X 0369. We were beginning to read you. -Acknowledge. Do you read us?" - -His answer was a roar of static. - -Jack Hudson shook his head. His concern and the intense looks on the -faces of the other men told Biff they were troubled. - -"Was it Keene, Mike?" Jack demanded. "Was it Charlie?" - -Biff heard Jack's question, and he felt a sudden pang of fear. - -The radio operator, Mike Dawson, shook his head. "I can't say for sure. -I think it must have been. But the voice was so faint. And the static--" - -"Could you make out anything? Any of the words?" Jack's voice was -insistent. - -Mike shook his head worriedly. "The sender didn't identify. I did think -I caught some of the words, but I can't say for sure--" - -"Well, what were they, man? What were they?" - -"I--I thought he said, 'They're coming for me.... My position is lati--' -And right then transmission broke off completely. That's when I buzzed -your rooms. I've been working this mike ever since. And getting nothing. -But nothing." - -Biff stepped into the room. He crossed to the three men. - -"Was that my uncle you were talking about?" - -Mike and the other man looked at Jack Hudson. It was obvious that they -wouldn't speak unless he gave them the go-ahead. Jack looked at Biff. He -didn't reply at once. Then, having reached his decision, he answered. - -"Yes, Biff. I'm afraid it was." - -"_Afraid?_" Biff felt a tingle of fear race up his spine. "What do you -mean? Is my uncle in danger?" - -Jack Hudson's shoulders sagged. He shook his head as if trying to rid -himself of unpleasant thoughts. "Come along, Biff. I'll tell you about -it over some coffee." At the door, he turned back. "Keep trying, Mike. -You might raise him. And if you do--" - -"I'll buzz you fast." - -In the mess hall, the servants had already set the breakfast table. Two -of them padded about the room silently on their bare feet. Biff sat down -to a plate containing an oval-shaped, reddish fruit, streaked with -white. - -"It's the fruit of the durian tree. Try it. We think it's delicious. If -you don't like it, though, there's fresh pineapple or guava." - -The taste was like nothing Biff had ever eaten before. He didn't know -whether he liked it or not. And he didn't care. There were more -important things than breakfast fruit right now. - -"Tell me about Uncle Charlie." - -Jack sipped some coffee. "I'll tell you what I can, Biff. It won't be -much. I don't know it all myself. I know where he went, and I think I -know why. The why is what I can't tell you." - -"Was there danger in this trip of Uncle Charlie's?" - -"Danger? Perhaps. Always dangerous crossing the border. But Charlie -should have been able to handle it." - -Biff felt his heart pound. - -"Your uncle left here exactly eight days ago. He left early in the -morning. He needed the cover of night to fly across the border." - -"The border? What border?" Biff asked. - -"The border into Red China. That border's closed, you know, especially -to Americans." - -Jack paused to light a cigarette. - -"He took off in a light, four-place plane. It's the type plane that -Charlie could land or take off in on a dime. It carried extra fuel -tanks." - -"How long did he expect to be gone?" - -"He didn't know for certain. Not more than four or five days, he said." - -Four or five days, Biff thought. And eight days had passed. - -"We've been expecting him, Watching for him. I've flown from dawn to -daylight myself the last three days, hoping to spot him or his plane, if -he was forced down. Nothing. He didn't break radio silence once from the -time he left." - -"Until this morning," Biff cut in. - -"Yes. Until this morning. If that was Charlie." - -"Have you any idea where he was going in China?" Jack shook his head. -"Not exactly. With the extra tanks, he had fuel for about twelve hundred -miles. So, since he had to return, he must have expected to find what he -was looking for not more than five hundred miles inside China." - -"And you can't tell me your ideas of what his search was for?" - -Jack hesitated. "All I could tell you would be the results of my own -speculations. Your uncle was at Cape Canaveral, as you know, and he must -know a lot about guided missiles. He was one of the Navy's top young -officers. Well--put your thinking cap on. Maybe between us we can come -up with something." - -Biff thought hard. There were many parts to this puzzle. He thought he -himself was probably one of them. But fitting them together into an -answer--that would take more than minutes, hours, or even days to do. -Too many important parts of the puzzle were still missing. Biff thought -that perhaps now he should fill Jack in on his own small mystery. His -hand went to his key chain and touched the jade ring. He made a -decision. He wouldn't mention the ring. He would only tell Jack about -what had happened when he arrived at the Rangoon airport. - -Quickly he told Jack the story. As he poured it out rapidly, Jack's look -of worried concern deepened. - -"There must be some connection. Charlie disappears, and you're almost -kidnaped. Describe the man again." - -Biff sketched the three men in as best he could. "I only saw the one -called Nam Pulang closely. He said he was the Number One man here at -Explorations." - -"Never heard of him. Was he Chinese, or Burmese?" - -"I'd say Chinese," Biff answered. "Although I don't really know how -Burmese look." - -Jack was thoughtful. - -"But Jack," Biff said, "we're not just going to sit here, are we? Can't -we do something? Can't we go into China and find Uncle Charlie?" - -"Go into China? Impossible. You get any such idea out of your head." - -That idea, though, was very much in Biff's head. The idea had been -growing from the moment he first heard of his uncle's disappearance. - -"I mean that," Jack said. "You have no idea of the difficulty in -crossing the border. It's patroled night and day. And the border guards -shoot to kill." - -Man and boy sat in silence, both deep in thought. The silence was -suddenly broken. A native boy about Biff's age, but smaller, came -running into the room. - -"Sahib Jack! Come on run! Come on run! Quick! Quick!" He ran out of the -room. - -Biff and Jack were at his heels. - - - - - CHAPTER VII - A "Spirited" Box - - -The native boy raced across the open compound toward the group of low -buildings where the servants slept. Jack and Biff ran side by side, ten -feet behind the boy. - -"What is it, Chuba? What is it?" Jack called. But the boy didn't answer -until he reached the door of one of the small white cabins. There he -stopped, gasping for breath, and turned to Jack and Biff. His face was -contorted with fear; his eyes were opened wide and filled with terror. - -"Now get hold of yourself, Chuba. Steady. We're right here. What's -inside your cabin that's so frightening?" - -Chuba's voice trembled as he spoke. "The evil ones. They come. They come -to punish Chuba and the father of Chuba." - -"The evil ones? What are you talking about?" Jack's voice was firm, but -his tone was kind. He had to quiet this boy's fears. - -"It has been spoken," Chuba said, his voice trembling. "Many, many years -ago, the gods spoke to the ancestors of my father. They said"--and here -the boy's voice almost broke--"they said that evil will befall any -member of the House of Chin Fu who leaves his land to become a slave of -the white man." - -Biff watched the boy. He felt sympathy toward him, yet it was hard for -Biff to believe that such superstitious beliefs could still cast their -spell in these modern days. - -"That's nonsense, Chuba. You and your father are not slaves. You are -honorable workers. Without your help, we could not live here. You are -well paid, and you hold positions of responsibility and dignity. Enough -of this. Just what is inside your cabin?" - -"Chuba not know. But is bad. Very bad. It is voices of the evil ones, -casting spell on Chuba and his honorable father." - -"All right. Come on and show us what it is." - -"Please, Sahib Jack. You to go first." - -"Okay. Come on, Biff." - -Jack and Biff entered the one-room cabin. It was small, but comfortably -furnished. Beds stood against the walls on either side of the room. At -the rear there was a small, compact kitchen. Biff and Jack inspected the -room quickly. They saw nothing unusual. - -Chuba stood behind them, standing on tiptoes. - -"There!" he said. "Watch, and you shall hear evil spirits." He pointed -to a small box on the floor by one of the beds. - -As they watched, a low growl came from the box. The growl grew louder. -It became a wail. Then it turned into the high, piercing scream of a -siren. It held this chilling, blood-curdling pitch for about ten -seconds. Then the lid of the box slowly raised. A yellowish hand -emerged. It bent over the front of the box. One finger touched a small -button. The high scream dropped down to a wail, then to a growl, then -stopped. The hand withdrew into the box. The lid closed. All was silent -again. - -Biff put a restraining hand on Chuba, keeping the boy from fleeing in -terror. On Biff's face a slow grin was spreading. He wanted to laugh, -but one glance at Chuba's stricken face stopped him. This was a serious -thing to Chuba. Chuba would feel Biff was laughing at him, insulting -him. - -Jack stared at the box in amazement. "Now just what on earth is that -thing?" He scratched his head. Biff started across the room toward the -box. - -"Hold it, Biff. We don't know what that gadget might be. Might be a -bomb." - -Now Biff did laugh. Even Jack was concerned. Not terror-stricken like -Chuba, but the weird performance of the box had undoubtedly alarmed -Jack. - -Biff reached for the box, bent over, and picked it up. Chuba cowered -behind Jack. But the native boy's curiosity got the better of him. He -watched Biff's every move, his eyes wide. - -"It's only a toy, Jack," Biff said. "My kid brother got one last -Christmas. It was the newest thing out. Caused a sensation." - -"Let me take a look at it," Jack said, and Biff handed it to him. - -A great feeling of relief had come over Biff. When Chuba had come -rushing in, crying out in a voice filled with fright, Biff had figured -that another in the series of strange happenings had taken place. To -discover that all the excitement was only about a toy relaxed Biff -completely for the first time since he had arrived in the Orient. - -Jack inspected the toy somewhat gingerly. "How does it work?" - -Biff took the box back. "Look. I'll show you." He raised the lid of the -box, and as he did so, Chuba took a step back. He was taking no chances -with evil spirits even if the Americans did. Jack's and Biff's heads -were together inspecting the box. This was too much for Chuba. He had to -see, too. He cautiously poked his head forward for a closer look. - -"See this small siren? That's where the noises come from. The toy has -two small batteries, like the ones used in a transistor radio. They -power this small motor, and it does the rest. Raises the lid and makes -this hand snake out." - -Biff looked at Chuba and smiled. A shy, friendly grin lit up the native -boy's face. "Want to see it work with the lid open?" - -Chuba nodded his head rapidly. - -Biff set the toy in motion. The siren reached its high pitch. The hand, -attached to the end of a small iron rod, snaked out, flopped over the -front side of the box, and touched the cut-off button. - -"That's all there is to it. Some gadget, isn't it?" - -Jack laughed. "I can see how it must have been the toy sensation of last -Christmas. I can also see why it scared the daylights out of Chuba. It -would scare me, too, if it woke me from a sound sleep." - -"That's what happen, Sahib Jack. I sleep deep. This thing start -screaming. Chuba jump, run fast, plenty scared, for help." - -"I suppose once it's turned on, it keeps operating until the batteries -run out." - -"That's right," Biff said. "Its action is set so it goes off once about -every three minutes. You turn it off here." Biff pointed to a switch on -the bottom of the box. - -"But how it get in my father's house this morning?" Chuba demanded. - -"I can answer that one." Jack's shoulders started shaking with laughter. -Biff started laughing, too, partly from relief, and partly because when -Jack laughed everyone joined in. Chuba, his eyes darting from Jack to -Biff, decided his worries had passed. He giggled shyly at first, then -added his high laugh to the chorus. The little white cabin shook with -their hilarity. - -"The 'evil' one, Chuba," Jack said, "is a certain red-headed maintenance -mechanic called Muscles." - -"Muscles! Him play another joke on Chuba. He much cool fellow. Him way -in." - -"What's this?" Biff thought. "Jive talk from a native boy? This kid's -all right." - -"You mean this Muscles is real cool; he's way out, don't you, Chuba?" -Biff asked. - -"That's what Chuba say. He here, man, here." - -Biff slapped his thighs and doubled up again with glee. Chuba's mixed-up -talk was so far "gone," it had come back to "here." - -"How old are you, Chuba?" Jack asked. - -Chuba drew himself fully erect. He puffed out his chest. "Chuba soon be -sixteen." - -"Aren't you about the same, Biff?" Biff nodded his head. "Chuba, shake -hands with Biff Brewster. Biff's Sahib Charlie's nephew." - -The boys shook hands. There was no doubt but that they took to one -another right off. - -"Chuba, you show Biff around. I've got to get back and see if Mike's -been able to--" - -"I get it, Jack," Biff said. - -The two boys watched Jack stride back to Headquarters House. - -"Come, Sahib Biff, I show you many things." - -Biff didn't reply at once. A plan was beginning to shape up in his head. -It would work, too, with the help of Chuba. - -"Okay, Chuba. But first off--cut out that sahib stuff. To you, I'm just -plain Biff." - - - - - CHAPTER VIII - Still Missing - - -The friendship between Biff and Chuba developed rapidly. Chuba was an -odd boy, with his mixed-up jive talk, his quick Oriental mind, and his -desperate anxiety to be "like American kid." He was half a head shorter -than Biff. He had long, black, wiry hair, usually plastered down with -smelly hair tonics. These he got from Muscles. The burly mechanic tried -every new hair conditioner that came along, in an attempt to control his -unruly light brown hair. Chuba's skin was dark, so deeply tanned that -its yellowish tinge from his Chinese blood hardly showed. He looked more -Burmese than Chinese. - -His daily clothes were a pair of hand-me-down brown shorts and hand-made -sandals, ideal for the heavy, humid weather which turned the -jungle-enclosed camp into a smoking oven. The shorts Chuba got from the -Americans in the camp. Chuba did his own alterations on the shorts to -cut them down to his size. He was far from an expert tailor. One pair -had the left leg six inches longer than the right. Another pair, handed -down from a man with a forty-four-inch waist, gave Chuba a laughable -balloon effect in the rear, particularly when he ran. - -Biff's second day at the camp in Unhao began with a visit to the -communications room. Mike Dawson, the radio operator, merely shook his -head at the question written on Biff's face. - -No word from Uncle Charlie. - -Biff hurried through breakfast. He left Headquarters House, stepping -into a blazing sun already sending heat waves up from the brown dirt -surface of the camp. - -Chuba was waiting just outside the entrance to headquarters. - -"I hurry up this morning. Help my father. Now I can show you rest of -camp." Chuba's father was in charge of the servants in the camp. "My -father Number One Boss here," Chuba told Biff proudly. - -The boys roamed around for more than an hour. Chuba chattered on as fast -as any of the monkeys scampering about the trees which fringed the camp. - -"Are there elephants around here?" Biff asked. "Yesterday morning I -thought I saw one out of my bedroom window." - -"Sure. Sure. Much elephants. Wild ones." Chuba grinned. "But one you saw -must be Suzie. She dig it here big. That means likes it here," Chuba -explained. Biff smiled to himself. "When they clear jungle to make the -camp, many elephants used to push over trees, and pull them away. When -job is done, Suzie and Tiny, that's the other elephant, they won't -leave. So--who can make an elephant go when he no want to? They stay -on." - -"Where did you pick up all this jive talk, Chuba?" Biff asked. - -"Jive talk? You mean talk like American boys?" - -"They don't all talk that way. Jive talk is American slang. Some boys -use it more than others." - -"I learn it from Muscles. He has many magazines come to him by the mail -from United States. Many books of the comics, too. You like to meet up -with Muscles? He come back from Rangoon early this morning." - -"I sure would," Biff said. - -There was no mistaking Muscles. Biff spotted him as soon as they entered -the hangar. The plane maintenance mechanic, wearing only shorts, shoes, -and a long white mechanic's coat, towered over the small natives whom he -was directing. Big was the word for Muscles. Biff could only compare him -with some of the giant linesmen he had seen play for the Chicago Bears -professional football team. He and his father went to the games in -Chicago every now and then. - -As the boys approached the plane Muscles was working on, they saw the -powerful man heave an oil drum off the floor as if it were made of -tissue paper. The drum could have weighed anywhere from one hundred to -three hundred pounds. He up-ended the drum, and a heavy stream of thick -oil flowed smoothly to the intake pipe. Muscles held the drum steadily -for a couple of minutes. - -"That ought to do it," he said, and put the drum back on the floor. He -looked at the boys. - -"Well, now, if it isn't my young friend and Number One boy Chuba. Hey, -did you have a visitor yesterday morning?" A big grin cracked across -Muscles' face. It was clear that Muscles had a great liking for the -Chinese boy. - -"Friend? No friend," Chuba replied. He didn't want Muscles to think he -had been frightened by what Chuba now called his Evil Spirit Box. "I -find evil spirits in my room. They make with strange noises, like wild -animals howling." - -"Yeah?" Muscles was all interest. "So what gave? Did the evil spirits -send you?" - -"I send them. I take evil spirit's hand, shake it good, and evil -spirit's howl become purr of pussycat." - -"Didn't scare you? Gosh, and that thing cost me twenty bucks to have it -sent out from the States." Muscles was disappointed. Biff grinned. Chuba -had carried the thing off well. He wasn't going to give Muscles the -satisfaction of knowing how really frightened he had been. - -"And you must be Biff Brewster." Muscles turned away from Chuba. -"Charlie Keene's nephew." - -"You're right the first time, Muscles. I've sure heard a lot about you. -Particularly from Chuba." - -"I'm going to make an American kid out of that rascal, no matter what. -Say, I'm awfully sorry about your uncle." He paused, as he saw a worried -look come over Biff's face. Then he hurried on rapidly. "But don't -worry. Charlie Keene can take care of himself. He always has. I was with -him in Korea, and I know. He'll get back. If he doesn't, we'll go in and -get him." - -Going into Red China to hunt for his uncle had been a thought growing -more and more prominent in Biff's mind. If no word came from Uncle -Charlie soon, Biff knew that he couldn't just sit around and wait any -longer. He'd have to do something. - -After a few more minutes of talk with Muscles, Biff and Chuba left the -hangar. Biff was silent as they walked across the hot field to the shade -of a small coconut palm grove. Chuba kept rattling on, but his words -just bounced off Biff's ears. Biff seated himself against the leaning -trunk of a palm. - -"Sit down a minute, Chuba. I want to ask you some questions." - -"Shoots. Chuba will make with the answers." - -Biff frowned. "Tell me, just how tough would it be to slip across the -border into China?" - -"For Chuba, easy. Very easy. I do it many times." - -"How about me? Think I could get across?" - -"Not by yourself. But with Chuba for Number One guide--" The native boy -shrugged his shoulders. "I know all trails. I know just where Red border -patrol guards strong, and where they guard weak. Afraid to guard some -places." - -"Why is that?" - -"Wild animals. Black bears--fierce, big, kill a man with one big swipe -with paw. Also tigers and leopards. Snakes, too. All kinds. They hang -from trees. Big python slide off tree, wrap around man's neck and--urgle -gurgle--" Chuba made a rattling noise in his throat. "No more man." - -Biff swallowed hard. "And you go over the border in a place where all -the wild animals are?" - -"Sure," Chuba boasted. "Chuba smell and see animals before they see -Chuba. Is safer to go into China that way." - -"That way? Safer? What do you mean?" - -"Red patrol stays close to main road. Sometimes they let kids like me -through. But, if they angry, or their Big Boss chew 'em out, then they -don't care whether you kid or not. They shoot you or catch you and make -you work like slave. Once you in slave labor camp, you never come back." - -Biff was silent. - -"You think maybe you like to go in find your Uncle Charlie. Put snatch -on him from Red baddies?" - -"Something like that, Chuba. Think we could do it?" - -Chuba didn't answer too quickly. His thin face was screwed up in -thought. "Be most rough. But we smart. Most patrol dumb. Maybe all go -well--maybe not--" - -Biff didn't want to hear any more. His mind was made up. If they had a -fifty-fifty chance of finding Uncle Charlie, then that was all he -wanted. - -"Meet me back here in an hour, Chuba. I want to talk to Sahib Jack." - -Biff found Jack Hudson in the communications center, pouring over a -large map of China. Biff moved to his side. - -"Trying to figure out where Charlie might be," Jack said. He pointed to -a position on the map. - -"Now if you drew a line from Chungking to Chengtu, I'd say he was -somewhere west of that line." - -Biff leaned closer. "Why do you think he's in that area?" he asked. - -"Well, I do remember Charlie's mentioning a small place called -Jaraminka. About two, maybe three weeks ago. He'd just received a letter -from his friend, Ling Tang, back in the States. Right after that, he -went into Rangoon for a few days. I do know that there's a village by -that name somewhere in that area." - -"Rough country?" Biff asked. - -"In spots. It's north of the Yunnan plateau. In the foothills of Mt. -Minya Konka. And some of those foothills would be called mountains back -where you come from." Jack smiled. - -"Anything else to go on?" Biff wanted to know. - -"Well, we do know how much gas Charlie was carrying. Enough for about -1,200 miles. He'd have to allow for a safety margin. As I told you, I -figure he planned on about 500 miles in, and 500 back, of course. That -would give him a 200-mile safety factor." - -Jack leaned back against the map table, scratched his head, and lit a -cigarette. - -"Another thing ... that radio signal we got." - -"You mean the one yesterday?" - -"Yes. Now if that was your uncle calling...." - -"You're still not sure it was Uncle Charlie?" - -"Well, I guess I am. Let's say it was. That's another reason I figure -he's over toward the mountain range." - -"I'm not reading you too clearly right now," Biff said. - -Jack laughed. "I'll try to explain. Charlie had a portable radio -transmitter with him. A good one, battery operated. Its maximum range -would be about 500 miles under ideal conditions. That means he'd have to -have straight-line transmission." - -"You mean nothing in the way, like a high mountain?" - -"That's right, Biff. Transmission is greatly reduced if your wave has to -bend over hills or mountains." - -"So you figure he's got to be high enough to shoot a straight wave -directly to Unhao." - -Jack nodded his head. "And the elevation around Jaraminka really fills -that bill--5,000 to 6,000 feet." - -"How could he ever land in such rugged terrain?" Biff asked. - -"Plenty of small plateaus. Some of them have been cleared for farming." - -Biff picked up a drawing compass. He adjusted its opening to fit the -five-hundred-mile mark on the scale of miles at the bottom of the map. -Then, placing the steel point on the dot marking Unhao, he swirled the -compass. The pencil end cut right through the area Jack was describing. - -"Nice figuring, Jack." A faraway look floated across Biff's face. - -"Hey! You're not getting any ideas, are you?" Jack demanded. "An -American boy could never make it across the border. Natives, sure--but -you--never." - -Maybe not, thought Biff, but in his thoughts, he was already there. - - - - - CHAPTER IX - Into the Jungle - - -A light-skinned boy could never make it. That thought, first suggested -by Chuba, restated by Jack Hudson, kept running through Biff's head. The -Chinese Reds' border patrol would spot a white boy instantly. Biff -remembered stories he had read of Americans captured in Red China. The -stories weren't pleasant. - -Biff left Headquarters House deep in thought. He walked slowly across -the compound. Chuba was waiting for him in the palm grove. - -"Biff has big thoughts?" was Chuba's greeting. "Maybe Chuba can help." - -"Maybe you can, Chuba. Maybe you just can. I've got an idea. See what -you think of it." - -For fifteen minutes Biff spoke to Chuba. At first, the native boy kept -shaking his head. Then, as Biff's enthusiasm mounted, Chuba was swept up -by the idea. Negative shakes of his head became excited head shakes of -agreement. Chuba's eyes lighted up. Now he cut in on Biff's enthusiasm -with bursts of his own. He took over Biff's plan, and added to it. Biff -was a hard one to resist when he became enthusiastic about anything he -wanted to do. And this he meant to do. - -"We can do it, Biff," Chuba said. There was no holding the boy now. "I -get things ready on double quick. Have much ideas. But will take time." - -"How much time?" Biff demanded. - -"Two hours--maybe three. Then you come to the house of my father. You -know, where you saw Evil Spirit Box. Chuba be all ready." - -"Chuba, you're a really smooth operator." - -"Like real American boy?" - -"You said it." - -Chuba's mouth was split into a wide grin of pride. No praise could have -pleased him more. - - -Toward late afternoon, Jack Hudson ran his hand over his forehead. He -was tired. He hated paper work. All afternoon, he had been poring over -files, checking bills, answering letters. The work had to be done, but -he wished there was someone else to do it. Action, that's what he liked. -Not sitting at a desk in a hot room. - -As cluttered as his mind was with facts and figures, the thought of his -missing friend, Charles Keene, kept coming back again and again. Jack -thought of Biff, too. He didn't like the idea he felt sure was building -in Biff's mind. Too risky, of course. But, he told himself, this sitting -around, just waiting, was getting him down too. - -With an impatient sweep of his arm, Jack shoved the papers away from -him. He stretched, got up, and made for the front entrance of -Headquarters House. On the raised platform, six steps above the ground, -Jack stopped to light a cigarette. As he did so, his attention was -caught by a beggar boy coming at a run across the compound. The boy -reached the foot of the steps and sprawled on the ground. - -"Baksheesh, Sahib! Baksheesh!" the boy wailed. - -Jack Hudson looked down at the boy, his feeling of disgust mingled with -one of sympathy. These poor kids, he thought, trained to beg from the -day they could walk. Baksheesh, the word for a tip, a present, was used -in many places in the East and Far East. - -"Baksheesh! Baksheesh!" the boy continued to moan. - -Jack looked about him. He spotted Chuba's father. - -"Ti Pao. Come here. Chop! Chop!" - -Ti Pao came on the run. He could tell Sahib Hudson was annoyed. - -"You know my orders, Ti Pao. No beggars allowed in the compound. How did -this boy get in?" - -Ti Pao shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe slip through gate, or hide in -truck coming through." - -"Well, get him out of here. You know that twice a week, we hand out food -and alms to the beggars. They are not to come inside." - -"Baksheesh, Sahib! Baksheesh." The plea came again. - -"Take him away, Ti Pao." Jack Hudson turned, and started to reenter the -building. As he did so, the beggar said softly, "No baksheesh? Not even -Coke money?" - -Jack whirled around. The beggar boy was already heading for the gate. -Jack scratched his head. "I could have sworn he said-- Nah! I must have -been hearing things. Must be the heat," he mumbled to himself. He shook -his head and went through the door. - -The beggar boy neared the gate, then cut to the left. He raced through -the palm grove, then carefully, stealthily, made his way to the cabin of -Ti Pao. There was just a flash of brown, ragged clothing as he slipped -through the door. - -"It work. It work! Biff!" Chuba danced up and down in his excitement. - -The beggar boy grinned. It was the grin of a happy Biff Brewster. - -"I'll say it worked. Even your father didn't recognize me." - -"Not Sahib Hudson, either?" - -Biff shook his head. "Nope. I fooled him completely. I even spoke some -American words. Course, I said them low, just as I was leaving. Don't -know whether he heard them or not." - -"Let me take closer look," Chuba said. Biff turned slowly around as -Chuba made his inspection. - -"Is much okays. I only afraid sweat make betel nut juice get all -smeary." - -"I was afraid of that, too, Chuba. But the stain didn't run." - -Biff looked as much like a native boy as Chuba did. The tattered shorts -and torn shirt that he wore had been dug up by the always astonishing -Chuba. Biff's face, his body, his legs, were stained a light, yellowish -brown. This had been done with the juice of betel nuts, mixed and -thinned with still another liquid, to lighten the blackish fluid crushed -from the betel. - -On his feet, Biff wore floppy, torn sandals. - -"Only one thing, Biff. Your eyes. Should be more slanty. I fix." - -Chuba took out a piece of charcoal. At the outside corners of each of -Biff's eyes, Chuba deftly applied upward strokes with the charcoal. He -stepped back to view his handiwork. Then he went into a gale of -laughter. - -"You much China boy now. No one could tell difference." - -"Just call me the Chop Suey Kid," Biff laughed. - -"Chop Suey Kid? What's chop suey?" - -"You never heard of it?" - -Chuba shook his head. - -"Well, back in America it's our favorite Chinese food." - -Chuba looked puzzled. He still didn't get it. He shrugged it off. "Now, -we all set. No border guard ever spot you. Never tell you American boy." - -Biff had passed his test. Neither Jack Hudson nor, even more important, -Ti Pao, had penetrated his disguise. - -"Okay then, Chuba. We're all set. It's still an hour before the night -mess call. I think we'd better be well on our way by then. I'll be -missed when I don't show up for chow. And Jack Hudson will guess where -I've headed. But by then, it will be too late, too dark, to start a -search. What about food, and other stuff?" - -"All set. Chuba has everything. Even bottle of juice in case you start -turning back into white boy. We got food for two days. After that, Chuba -get more wherever we are." - -"All right, Chuba. Now I'm really going to let your father put me out -the gate. I'll follow the river until I reach the second bend. Then I'll -wait for you." - -"All is good. Chuba be right after you. Not look good for me to leave -here with lowly beggar boy." Chuba grinned, and Biff returned his smile. - -That night, by nine o'clock, the two boys were deep in the swampy jungle -between the Irrawaddy River and the border of China. - - - - - CHAPTER X - The Barrier - - -Night turned the Burmese jungle into a frightening enemy. Towering -trees, teak, acle, ironwood, shot straight upward, so close packed and -dense that they blotted out the starlit sky. - -Vines, some of them as thick as a man's arm, were forever stretching low -across the boys' path, as if trying to hold them back from their bold -venture. - -What bothered Biff most of all was the sickening smell of the jungle. -Rotted vegetation gave off a rank, stifling odor. Biff had been in the -jungles of Brazil, but they were nothing compared to the one he and -Chuba were forcing their way through. - -During the two hours they had traveled in the waning daylight, their -progress had been swift. Chuba knew the trails well. Sometimes, moving -at a trot several steps ahead of Biff, the native boy would seem to be -swallowed by hedges of low, thick brushwood. But he would reappear, -parting the thick growth so that Biff could follow. - -Moving swiftly, silently, without talking, to conserve their breath, -Biff was suddenly startled. From directly overhead came a chorus of -angry screams. Biff stopped and looked up. - -"Only monkeys, Biff," Chuba called back. "We wake them from their sleep, -and they no like. Come." - -Once again Chuba took up his steady pace. Thorny bushes grabbed at -Biff's already tattered clothes. Ugly scratches marked his legs. Most -upsetting was the unexpected change from dry land into dank, oozing -swampland. Chuba never stopped, or gave any warning of what lay ahead. -Time and again the native boy plunged into a narrow stream. Once the -water, muddy, almost hot, came up to Biff's waist. As he neared the -opposite bank, he halted a moment to look back. - -"Biff! Biff! Hurry! Out of the water!" - -Biff leaped for the bank just as a partly submerged log moved swiftly -through the water to the spot where he had been standing. As it reached -the bank, the "log's" jaws opened, and Biff heard the chilling sound of -teeth gnashing together. - -"Crocodile, Biff. Never stop in stream. Old croc might be hungry." - -"If he likes mud-flavored boy, I'm his dish," Biff thought. - -[Illustration: _Biff heard the chilling sound of teeth gnashing -together_] - -After traveling for six hours with only brief rest breaks, the boys were -bone weary. Biff figured it must be midnight or a little after. They had -reached a small clearing, a circle about thirty feet across. Toward one -side a single ironwood tree rose high above the surrounding underbrush. - -"We stop here for the night," Chuba said. "You ever sleep in a tree?" - -"Once. Didn't find it very comfortable though. Do we have to?" - -"Is much better. This tree has nice big limbs. Find good crotch, settle -in it, and sleep real good. Too many animals on the ground. Animals and -insects. Big ants, geckos, even wild pigs. You know gecko? Is big, slimy -lizard. Wild pigs don't care who they eat. And ants sting real bad. Much -better in tree." - -Chuba stood at the base of the tree. "You give me push up to first limb. -Then I can give you my hand to pull you up. Come on." - -Biff didn't reply, or move. His eyes were intent on a vine that hung -down from one of the higher limbs. It seemed to sway slightly. But there -was no breeze. - -"Back, Chuba! Back!" Biff shouted. - -Chuba leaped backward. Biff, fascinated, watched the "vine" stretch -downward, then slither off the branch and plunge downward. - -"Python!" Chuba cried out. - -"Yes. Python. I've seen them before. Not pythons like that one, but -boas. Boa constrictors of South America. They're of the same family." - -The boys now stood in the center of the circle. The python, nearly -twenty feet long, seemed to stare at Biff and Chuba. Then it slowly -slithered into the underbrush. - -Biff looked at Chuba. The native boy lowered his head. "Is Chuba's -mistake. Always, my father tell me to be sure and check sleeping tree -for python. Chuba forget this time. If Biff not so alert, maybe python -now be around Chuba's neck instead of deep in forest." - -"Any chance of its coming back? If it went up that tree once, why -shouldn't it come up again? And with us up there!" - -"Oh, no. Once snake scared away, it not come back. This Chuba knows. -Python climb up tree to attack enemies by dropping down. Never climb up -to find enemies." - -"Well, I just hope you're right. Come on, let's hop into our upper -berths." - -"Upper berths?" Chuba asked. - -Biff explained, and the two boys climbed up the tree to their sleeping -quarters. Biff watched Chuba as he nestled down on a stout limb forming -a crotch with the trunk of the tree. Chuba stretched out backward, his -legs on either side of the tree trunk. Biff did the same. At first, the -position was most uncomfortable. Biff felt he had to keep his knees -tightly pressed against the tree trunk to keep from falling. Gradually, -though, he squirmed into a position where his legs dangled down, each -touching the trunk with just enough pressure to keep him balanced. - -Some bed, Biff thought. Then, his body aching from battling his way -through the jungle, Biff slept. - -Early in the morning, with the sun fighting to send its rays through the -dense jungle, Biff was awakened by a call from just above him. Chuba was -about five limbs higher up. - -"Good sleep, Biff?" Chuba called down. - -Before answering, Biff tested his cramped arms and legs. He was stiff -all over. Sleeping in a tree might be safe, but it certainly was no -featherbed. He knew though, that after half an hour in the hot, steamy -jungle, he would sweat all the stiffness out of his body. - -"Guess so. I slept, anyway," he called up to Chuba. - -"Then we go down, and be on our way. We should reach border in two more -hours." - -The sun had brightened the circular opening below, about the only spot -where the sun's rays could get through. Biff heard Chuba scrambling down -from above him. Then he looked down and gasped. There in the center of -the circle, stretched out asleep, was the most magnificent animal he had -ever seen. - -"Hold it up there, Chuba," Biff said softly. The scrambling stopped. -"Can you see down through the leaves?" - -Chuba's answering gasp told him that he could. - -The animal below, enjoying a morning snooze, was a tiger. - -Both boys held their breath, afraid that even the slightest sound might -awaken the sleeping beast. Moments passed. Then, in a whisper, Biff -asked, "What do we do now?" - -Chuba's answering whisper came down through the leaves. "We wait, Biff. -All we can do. If we try to scare him away, he get mad, wait for us to -fall out of tree and eat us." - -Chuba's knowledge, Biff realized, was mixed up with superstition and -tales handed down from one generation to another. Tigers, Biff knew, -were man-eaters only in certain circumstances. A wounded tiger would -attack a man. So would one so old that it could no longer get its food -easily. Then, man, less quick, less nimble than the animals tigers -usually fed on, could well become the evening meal of a tiger. - -Biff looked down at the sleeping animal. Its sleek, glistening fur told -him that this was a young tiger. Its white furry underbelly was puffed -out. That tiger had had a good meal, Biff knew. Probably caught his -breakfast just before daylight, and now he was having a nice nap in the -sun. - -"Is he still sleeping?" Chuba whispered. - -"Like a baby after its morning bottle," Biff whispered back. Biff didn't -think the tiger would sleep too long. Not as the morning sun rose -higher, and its fiery rays burned down on the opening. Once they hit Mr. -Tiger, the animal would move off to a shady spot and complete his rest. - -As Biff watched the animal, the jungle suddenly came alive with the -screeching, cawing, and screaming of hundreds of birds and animals. - -The tiger sat up quickly. It rose to its feet, its long tail switching -back and forth. Then it opened its mouth in a gaping yawn, showing -glistening white teeth and fangs. It turned its head from side to side, -looking to spot any danger. - -"That noise from the monkeys," Chuba called down. "Or maybe wildcats. -They chasing the parrots. All very much mad at each other." - -"Good for them," Biff called back. "They woke up our friend down there. -I think old tiger's going to move along." - -Biff watched the tiger. He saw it stretch, arching its back very much -like any tomcat. It slowly trotted out of the clearing into the dense -undergrowth. - -"Tiger's gone, Chuba. We'll wait awhile, then let's take off from here -fast." - -Biff had no way of counting the passing minutes. He had left his watch -back at Unhao. It would be a fatal error, he knew, if a Chinese beggar -boy were spotted wearing a wrist watch. He forced himself to wait. He -wanted to be sure that the tiger was long gone to another sleeping spot. -The minutes went by as the sounds of the jungle grew louder and louder. -Crows added their angry caws to the symphony of sounds coming from -herons, silver pheasants, and other birds. - -"I think it's safe now, Chuba. What do you think?" - -Biff's answer was the sound of Chuba scrambling down from his perch. - -"Okay, Biff, we go." - -The boys climbed down, dropping the final ten feet to the ground. Chuba -opened his bundle and took from it two handfuls of cooked rice. They ate -as they took up their trek once again, scooping up a handful of water -from the first clear stream they came to. - -After traveling an hour, by which time the sweat was pouring off Biff's -body, soaking his ragged clothes, Chuba stopped. - -"We're not far from border now, Biff. Maybe another hour, maybe less, -until we get there." - -"And where we cross there won't be any border guards?" Biff asked. - -"Chuba doesn't think so. Main road where guard always patrols is south -of here, almost a day's walk. Thus path we on leads to small, narrow -river. River is boundary between Burma and China. Where we cross is a -small clearing. River not deep there. Only up to knees. Easy to get to -other side." - -The other side was China. The thought sent a thrilling chill through -Biff's body. - -"We move with much quiet now," Chuba said. "Stay close together. Might -be others at clearing. Not guards, but maybe Chinese bandits. They use -this path too, when they fleeing Chinese soldiers." - -Biff and Chuba moved quickly but cautiously along the trail. Every few -yards, Chuba would stop, straining to catch any unusual sound that might -warn of danger ahead. At every hidden turn in the path, Chuba would -crawl forward, then signal to Biff that all was clear, to come ahead. - -"We're almost there now," Chuba whispered. "Around next bend in path, we -come to clearing and the river. Go slow now. Most careful." - -The boys seemed to move ahead by inches. They neared the final bend. On -reaching it, Chuba slipped off the path, pressing his body behind a -large palm tree. Biff came up behind, looking over Chuba's shoulder. -They craned their necks around the tree trunk until the edge of the -clearing came in sight. - -"Looks like it's all clear," Biff said. - -Chuba nodded his head. They left the protection of the tree. Darting -from one low bush to another, they came to the edge of the opening. All -was clear in the opening on their side of the river. Then, raising their -heads, they looked across the thirty feet of water separating them from -China. - -Both drew back quickly. Two men, wearing peaked, long-billed caps sat in -the middle of the clearing on the opposite bank. Red stars on the front -of their caps told the boys who they were. Not bandits, not others -seeking a safe passage from one country to the other. These two men were -members of the border patrol. The two ugly, snub-nosed sub-machine guns -were further proof, if further proof was necessary. - -Biff shot a quick look at Chuba. For the first time Biff saw fear--stark -terror--written on the native boy's face. - - - - - CHAPTER XI - Inside China - - -Biff placed a hand on his friend's arm. Why, Chuba was trembling! The -realization of Chuba's fear of the border patrol was startling to Biff. -Chuba showed no such fear in the jungle. He wasn't afraid of crocodiles, -snakes, or tigers. He respected them as man's natural enemies. - -But now, confronted with the border guard, Chuba was near panic. Biff -thought back to Chuba's talk about how easy it was to cross the border, -how he said he'd crossed several times. When they were discussing this -dangerous trip, Chuba had practically brushed the guards aside as no -problem. But the fear must have been there, just the same. Chuba was a -good actor. Biff realized just how much courage it must have taken on -Chuba's part to agree to guide him into China. He gripped the native -boy's arm in friendship and to reassure him. - -"Take it easy, Chuba. We're all right. But let's cut back down the trail -and figure out what we can do." Biff flashed a smile at Chuba and -signaled the direction he meant to take. Chuba followed close on his -heels like a puppy. - -After retracing their steps for about one hundred yards down the path, -the boys ducked off the trail and found a hiding place behind a thick -clump of bushes. - -For a few moments Biff talked quietly. He talked about Indianapolis, his -home, about the United States. He talked about anything that came into -his head. He wanted to calm Chuba down. "American talk," he thought, -would do the trick since it was Chuba's favorite subject. Soon a weak -smile came over Chuba's face. "I'm sorry, Biff," he apologized. "I'm -sorry I act like chicken." - -"That's okay, Chuba. I'd have been scared, too, if I knew as much about -the border guard as you do." - -"I hear many things. All bad." - -"Tell me honestly, Chuba. You said you've crossed over several times. -Have you, really?" - -"Yes, Biff. Chuba not lie. Only," he paused, "never any border guard -around when Chuba slip over before." - -"I see. Well, what do we do about it? You think the guard will stay -there all day?" - -"Can't tell. Much likely they will stay long time." - -"I suppose so," Biff said. He thought a minute. "It might be that -there's been a lot of slipping across the border here lately, and these -guards have been assigned to stop it." - -"I think you right, Biff." - -Neither spoke for several minutes. Both were trying to figure a way out -of the spot they found themselves in. - -"How about this, Chuba? Couldn't we either go up the river a couple -hundred yards or more, or down the river and slip across?" - -Chuba shook his head. "No, Biff. River narrow, run very quick on both -sides of the clearing. Too deep. Jungle grow real thick and fierce right -to water's edge. Can't get through." - -"Well, we've just got to get across somehow. We're losing time." As Biff -spoke, another thought was building in his head. - -"Now let me ask you this, Chuba. See if you think this plan might work. -Supposing I cut off the trail about a hundred feet from the clearing. -I'll make my way through the underbrush to a spot say seventy-five feet -away from the trail. You go hide behind that tree where we first spotted -the guard. You follow me?" - -"Okay so far." - -"Right. Then I'll yell like a Comanche. That ought to distract the -guard. They'll try to find who's making the noise. If they leave the -clearing, you can slip across the river." - -"Good idea, Biff. But how about you? How you going to get across?" - -"Same way. Only this time _you_ do the distracting. You yell like a -Comanche." - -Chuba grinned. "Could work. But how does Comanche bird yell?" - -Biff decided to postpone his lecture on TV westerns until another time. -"Don't worry about it. Just yell like I do. We've got to try it. It's -our only chance. Now, if you get across all right, wait. Wait a good -long time. By then, the guards will probably give up the search and -return to their post in the clearing. I don't imagine they like prowling -around the jungle too much." - -"No, too many wild animals." - -"Okay. So, you'd better make your way a good distance from the clearing. -Say you go to a place about a hundred yards opposite the -river--downriver--so I'll know where to listen for you. You're going to -be on the same side as the guards, so be sure you're in a safe place and -can make a fast getaway if they should come anywhere near you." - -"Don't worry about that. Chuba can hide good in jungle." - -"All right, let's get moving." But neither moved for a few minutes. Both -boys were reluctant to part company. They knew the danger lying before -them. They might never see one another again, if Biff's plan failed. - -"Now, where will we meet?" Biff asked. - -"You just keep running down path after you cross river. Get as far as -you can. Then find good hiding place. When I know guard has gone back to -clearing, I'll move along trail making sound like a crow. Like this." - -Chuba let out a soft "caw, caw." It was an exact imitation. Chuba -wouldn't have any trouble being a "Comanche bird," either, Biff thought. - -"Good. I'm off." Biff pushed his way into the underbrush. It was tough -going. The low, dense vegetation tore at him. Vines dropped like heavy -curtains from the tall trees hiding whatever lay ahead. It was steaming -hot. Biff wrestled the jungle growth, sweat streaming down his face and -body. It must have taken him nearly half an hour to penetrate a distance -of about 75 or 100 feet. - -Chuba could hear Biff making his way through the brush. At first, he -didn't move. He knew he had to go back to the clearing, but the thought -was frightening. It took all his courage to force himself back up the -path. But he knew that if he didn't, he would let his friend down. -Biff's plan depended on Chuba's being at the clearing at the right -moment. Yet, if the plan misfired--Chuba shuddered. - -Back at the edge of the clearing, Chuba crawled on his stomach to where -the low growth stopped. Carefully he parted the bush he lay behind. The -peephole allowed him a full view of the clearing. - -They were still there. The two guards squatted on their haunches. One -was munching some food. The other braced himself by holding onto the -barrel of his sub-machine gun, the gun's butt resting on the ground. - -Chuba inched backward. He took up his position behind the tree. Biff's -yelling could come any moment now. What would the guards do? Would they -come charging across the stream to do their searching? Chuba didn't -think so. If they did, then they would be crossing the border illegally, -although Chuba knew that often the guards paid scant attention to this -regulation. - -What if only one guard took up the search, the other remaining behind to -guard the clearing? One good thing, Chuba knew, was that from the -direction Biff had taken, it might appear that the yelling came from the -same side of the river that the guards were on. There was a sharp turn -in the stream about thirty feet to the west of the clearing. If Biff -made his way toward the riverbank, he might actually be behind the -guards, but still on the side opposite from them. - -"Eeeeee-owieeeee!" - -The sharp, piercing scream rose above the constant chattering of the -monkeys, the shrill calls of jungle birds. For a moment, the jungle -became silent. The monkeys and birds were as startled as the two guards. -So _that_ was American bird yell! "Much wow!" Chuba was impressed. - -Chuba, moving slightly forward, saw the guards leap to their feet. They -looked about them quickly. Both released the safety catches on their -weapons. They raised their guns to firing position. - -"Eeeee-owieeeee!" Again the wild cry blasted through the jungle. - -The guards turned in the direction the cry came from. - -"Yow! Yow! Yow! Yow!" - -The series of short cries came in rapid succession. - -The jungle had never heard a sound like it. It could only come from a -human being. One of the guards motioned in the direction of the cries. -Then he started toward the spot. The other guard held back, until his -companion turned and spoke to him in an angry voice. The two plunged -into the undergrowth. - -Now was his chance. With his heart pounding, fear tightening his throat -muscles, Chuba made his dash. He was in mid-stream when once more Biff -let out a series of short cries, followed by a long "Eeeee-owieeee!" - -A good thing he did, too. His shouting drowned out the splashes made by -Chuba as he raced through the water which tugged at his legs. Now Chuba -had reached the opposite shore. He tore down the trail, his lungs -bursting from his effort. - -When he felt the guards were well behind him, Chuba cut off to the left -of the trail, spotted a hiding place, and dived under the sprawling -bush. He lay there gasping for breath. - -How long he lay there, Chuba had no way of telling. Finally, he forced -himself to his feet. Biff might already be at the tree, waiting for -Chuba to take over his part in the action. - -Chuba moved along the path back toward the river. He moved cautiously, -silently, making no more noise than a big cat stalking its prey. When he -neared the clearing, Chuba went down to his hands and knees. Taking -advantage of the cover offered by the low bushes, he crept forward. -Again carefully parting a heavy bush, he looked into the clearing. - -The guards had returned. They were talking rapidly to one another. Chuba -couldn't make out their words, but he felt sure they were talking about -the strange cry they had heard. They were probably frightened by it, and -at this thought, Chuba smiled. He felt a lot better now. He had made it -over the border. But even as he had this thought, he remembered Biff. -Biff had to get across. Only half the job was done. - -Biff would surely be back at the tree by now. Time for more action. A -frown of doubt crossed Chuba's face. Would the guard be fooled a second -time? - -Chuba went ahead with the plan. He walked back up the trail for one -hundred paces. Then he slithered into the underbrush, crawling, forcing -his way through the wall of thick, spiny growth. - -If he, Chuba, made the same kind of noise Biff had made, wouldn't the -guards' suspicions be aroused? Already they would be tense, nervous. -They hadn't found anything the first time. Wouldn't they just ignore a -second set of strange "Yows" and "Eeeee-owieeees?" Chuba felt sure they -would. So what could he do? He just had to help Biff cross. Okay, he -knew what he would do. He could outsmart the guard in the denseness of -the jungle. They would never be able to catch him. - -Chuba reached a position he thought would do. It was near the spot he -and Biff had discussed, as far as he could figure. He took a deep -breath, then, shouting in Chinese, he called out, "Help! Help! Strange -man here! Strange man! Help! Help!" - -He waited. Moments passed. He repeated his call for help. Seconds later, -he heard the crashing of the guards as they fought through the -underbrush. - -Chuba waited no longer. He got himself away from the spot where he had -called out as fast as he could wriggle his body along. He knew he had -made a safe getaway when he could no longer hear the guards struggling -against the brush. Chuba smiled to himself. He knew he was only about -fifty feet from the trail. He sat down. He would wait, a long wait this -time, to make sure the guard had gotten back to the clearing, and that -Biff had had plenty of time to put a good distance between himself and -the river. - -Chuba leaned back against the base of a tree. He felt good about the way -things had gone. - -Suddenly, the noises of the jungle were drowned out by the most horrible -noise of all--the angry, "_bup_, _bup_, _bup_" of a sub-machine gun's -fire. First there was a short burst. Another short burst. This was -followed by a longer burst as several rounds were fired. Then, silence. - - - - - CHAPTER XII - Shooting the Yangtze Rapids - - -Eerie silence spread over the jungle following the machine-gun firing. -The jungle was holding its breath. The monkeys, birds, even the cicadas, -stopped their endless chattering and calling for several moments. Chuba -sat rigid, his fists clenched, as fear tore at his nerves. Biff! What -had happened to his friend Biff? - -What could he do? What was there to do? The questions whirled in his -head. No sensible answers came. If he went back down the trail toward -the river, he might run into the guards, still prowling, ready to let -loose their deadly spray of bullets at the slightest strange sound or -movement. But what about Biff? Had those shots been directed at him? And -had they reached him? Chuba shuddered at the thought. - -After waiting as long as his worried mind would permit him, Chuba -decided to investigate. On his stomach, he wormed his way toward the -path. At the edge of the brush, he stopped. For minutes he lay still, -listening, listening, straining his ears to catch any sound that might -warn him of the guards' presence. - -"It's all right," he told himself, trying desperately to rebuild his -courage. "They've gone back to the clearing. It's safe for me to -explore." - -Just as Chuba snaked his body halfway out on the trail, he tensed. He -heard a noise behind him. Not much of a noise, only the faintest rustle -in the brush. Quickly the native boy worked his way backward off the -trail. - -Again he heard the noise, slightly louder this time. An animal, a snake? -Chuba knew that his knife, long and sharp as it was, would be little -protection against a jungle animal. And even less against guards armed -with rapid-fire weapons. - -Then he caught another faint sound, soft, so soft as to be barely heard. - -"Eeeee-owieeeee." Silence. Then, slightly louder, "Yow ... Yow." - -Chuba's face brightened. "Caww ... caww," he answered. - -"Chuba" was the one word whispered in reply to his crow call. - -The native boy wiped his forehead with his forearm and sighed in relief. -It was Biff. It had to be. Biff was all right. - -"Biff?" Chuba called in a squeaky voice. The boy scrambled to the edge -of the trail again. He looked carefully to his right, down the trail -toward the river. Then he looked left, where the Comanche call had been -sounded. He saw Biff's stained face poke out of the bushes about ten -feet away. A big grin showed white teeth even whiter against his brown -face. - -The two boys wasted no time in talk. They made tracks, and fast, away -from the river, away from the border guard. After an hour of steady -traveling, Chuba darted off the main path, following a little used one -deep into the bush. - -"We rest here," Chuba said, gasping for breath. - -"Okay by me," said Biff. It seemed to him that every bone, every muscle -in his body ached. The struggle through the jungle growth, the tension -of making the river crossing, had worn both boys out. Both were only too -happy to stretch out and let their bodies regain strength. - -"So this is China," Biff said wearily. - -He sat up, dug into his bundle, and took out a small bottle of -antiseptic. This he rubbed over the scratches on his legs and arms. He -handed the bottle to Chuba. Then he took out a large tube of insect -repellant. Flies and mosquitoes had formed a small cloud around the two. - -"What happened?" Chuba asked. "I heard much gun shoots. I worry. I think -maybe they shoot Biff." - -"They tried to, Chuba. I fooled 'em, though." - -"How you do this?" - -"Well, I got across the river all right without being seen. Those guards -really jumped when they heard you call. I'd gone maybe fifty feet down -the trail, on this side, when I heard the guards coming back out of the -brush, back to the trail. So I dived into a thicket and crawled away -from the trail. I don't know how long I waited. Then I heard the guards -getting nearer the spot where I was hiding." - -"They almost find you?" - -"Darn near it. I don't believe they could have been more than ten feet -from me at one time. That's when I figured I had to do something. I -found a stick about three feet long and as thick as your arm. I heard -the guards talking to one another. Then I hurled the stick as far as I -could. It crashed in the brush, made quite a noise. Just what I wanted. -The guards rushed back down the trail toward the spot where the stick -landed. Then they opened up. That's the shooting you heard." - -Chuba smiled. "I bet they cut big hole in underbrush with those -bullets." - -"But we fooled them, Chuba. We got across." - -"Now we better get moving again," the boy was suddenly very -businesslike. "Not far from here is small village. When we get there, we -take main road. Now we're inside China, no more have to take to secret -trails and paths. We just two Chinese beggar boys." - -By nightfall the boys had reached the crumbling gray wall surrounding a -small village. - -"In this village," said Chuba, "lives the young brother of my father. He -will give us shelter for the night." - -The boys passed through the village gate. Biff saw a small, rust-stained -cannon seemingly hanging down from the wall on one side of the gate. At -the other side, another cannon lay in the dirt at the base of the wall. -It had long since broken away from its emplacement. Once, many years -ago, these cannon protected the village from the raids of bandits. But -now, the wall was crumbling in many places, and the city was open to -anyone wishing to enter. - -Biff and Chuba made their way along a narrow, dirt street, lined with -small houses made of thatch and mud. Men, women, and children, all -poorly dressed, moved back and forth, at times filling the street until -it was difficult for the boys to make their way. - -They reached the end of the street, a distance of not much more than a -quarter of a mile. Chuba cut off to his left toward a house standing -just inside the gray wall, but somewhat removed from the other houses. - -"The house of my uncle," Chuba said, pointing. - -Biff was glad to leave the street. It was littered with trash, and the -smells were sickening. - -"When we are inside the house of my uncle, you must not say a single -word," Chuba warned. "I do not want even him to know you are America -boy. I tell him you can hear but cannot talk. I tell him we on our way -to visit the older brother of my father, he who lives on the banks of -the Yangtze River." - -The house was roughly made of earthen bricks and thatched with wheat -straw. A small man stood at the entrance to the house. The doorway was -closed only by a drooping cloth, sewn together from several grain bags. - -Chuba bowed low as he approached his uncle. They spoke together rapidly. -Biff, of course, could not understand a single word spoken. Chuba turned -to him. - -"My uncle welcomes us. He says we may sleep here, and he will feed us. -Come, we go in." - -The floor of the house was earth, worn smooth and packed hard by the -feet of three generations of the uncle's family. A Chinese woman looked -at the boys as they entered, but spoke no word of greeting. She was the -uncle's wife. Two children, each younger and smaller than Chuba, stared -at the boys, their eyes round with wonder at seeing strangers. - -Chuba's uncle spoke to his wife. Minutes later she brought both the boys -a small portion of rice, served in an earthen saucer. The rice had -little or no flavor for Biff. But it was hot, and he ate every grain. - -Night had fallen. The only light came from the fire in the open oven set -in one wall of the house. - -The uncle spoke again to Chuba, and the boy nodded and motioned Biff to -follow. The uncle took them into a small room which was to be their -sleeping room. There were only three rooms in the house. Biff looked -about him. The room was bare except for one low bench standing in the -center. They would sleep that night on the dirt floor. And sleep they -did, as if they were in the most comfortable beds ever made. At dawn, -with another small bowl of rice to warm their stomachs, the boys were on -their way again. - -The boys crossed the Plateau of Yunnan and reached Chaochiang on the -Yangtze River. This was the small town where the older brother of -Chuba's father lived. From this uncle, Chuba borrowed a crudely built -small boat, held together with wire and wooden pegs. Two cumbersome, -double-bladed oars would be power. The boat was to be left at -Sundhiango, a village about one hundred miles west of Chungking. Chuba's -uncle would get it on his next trip to the large city. - -The Yangtze River, rising out of the mountains of Tibet on its 3,500 -mile course to the Yellow Sea, flows swiftly in the western part of -China. The ugly, yellow water roars through chasms, with lofty crags on -either side rising 300 feet high. The little boat, Biff in the bow, -Chuba in the stern, raced along like a small chip of wood. It was fun at -first after the tiring days of fighting their way through the jungle on -foot. They sped through gorges, putting mile after mile behind them. As -they neared Sundhiango, the river widened. Boiling white water told Biff -that they were getting into shallower water. A roar from ahead told him -they were approaching rapids. - -They shot the first three rapids without trouble, then entered a broad, -smooth stretch of water where they drifted slowly with the current. -Rounding a sharp bend, Biff again heard the roar of white water. This -time the roar was louder than before. The small craft suddenly picked up -speed. The boat plunged into the swirling, dashing water and was tossed -about as if it were a twig. Time and again, it seemed the boat would -crash on a huge boulder. Each time the current swirled it around just in -time to prevent a smashup. - -Looking ahead, Biff could see the end of the rapid. The round swell of -the water was a warning--falls ahead! There must be a drop of several -feet, Biff figured. He couldn't see directly beyond the falls. All that -was visible was a broad body of water beyond--smooth, quiet, wide enough -to be a small lake. - -There was nothing to do but pray that the boat would get safely over the -falls and into the calm water beyond. - -"Hold on, Chuba!" Biff called. Oars were useless now. - -The boat was caught up in a natural spillway, a narrow, fast-moving path -of water which shot over the falls and plunged downward. The boat shot -over the spillway. For moments, it seemed to hang in mid-air. Then it -hit the water below with a bone-jarring smack. - -"We made it!" Biff cried jubilantly, turning to look back at Chuba. -Chuba had disappeared. He had been thrown out of the boat as it leaped -over the falls. Biff spotted his friend's head in the water twenty feet -this side of the falls. - - [Illustration: Shooting the rapids] - -"Have a good swim, Chuba," Biff shouted gaily. "I'll wait for you." Biff -reset the oars and leaned them on his knees. "Hey, chum, not so much -splash--" Biff's happy call faded out. Chuba was floundering in the -water. His arms stopped thrashing and his head went out of sight. Then -it bobbed into view, only to sink a second time. - -With a start, Biff realized that Chuba couldn't swim. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII - The First Clue - - -Jack Hudson looked up from his desk as Muscles, the powerful mechanic, -came in. For a few moments the two men stared at one another, saying -nothing. Muscles, hands on hips, broad shoulders squared, chest thrust -out, looked like an angry bull about to charge. - -"Okay, Muscles, let's have it," Jack said. - -"About those kids. What are we going to do?" - -"I wish I knew. We've got to do something." - -"You're darn tootin' we have," Muscles bellowed. "I'm sick and tired of -just sitting around here, waiting. We got to act." - -"Take it easy, Muscles. I've been thinking about it as much as you -have." - -"Now look, Jack. Charlie Keene's been gone almost a month. The kids -nearly two weeks." - -"I know. I know. But what can we do? You know what it means to go in -after them." - -"You think you know where they are?" - -Jack nodded his head. "I've got a pretty good idea where the boys are -heading. I just hope Charlie's in the same general area. I just hope -they're not all scattered over the face of China." - -"What bugs me most is Biff being spotted by now. An American kid among -all those Chinese--bound to be!" - -"I don't think so, Muscles. Biff and Chuba worked out a disguise that -made Biff look more like a Chinese than Chuba does. Biff not only fooled -me, but fooled Ti Pao as well." - -"He fooled Chuba's father? That's really something." - -Jack nodded his head. "Yeah. Both of those kids are plenty smart. I -think they'll make it in. They might even get a line on Charlie's -whereabouts. But getting back out--" Jack shook his head soberly. - -"That's where we get into the act," Muscles said quickly. "Look, I got -the Cessna tuned up so she's purring like a kitten. Extra fuel tanks -installed. We can go in, pick up Charlie and the kids--" - -"_If_ we could find them." - -"We can find them. Look, here's my idea. We go in together. At night. -You drop me. I locate Charlie and the kids, then I make a signal on the -shortwave transmitter, and bang, you come, pick us up, and all's well." - -Jack didn't answer at once. He was considering Muscles' idea. "You make -it sound so easy. But I don't know. Give me a little time to think it -over." - -"We can take off at dusk tonight." - -"I haven't said we would yet, Muscles. I'll let you know." - -Muscles glowered at Jack and pounded one huge fist into the palm of his -other hamlike hand. - - -Biff didn't hesitate. This was real trouble. If he didn't get to his -friend at once, Chuba might go under for good. Finding him beneath the -surface of the muddy river would be impossible. Biff's body split the -air as he dived toward the sinking Chuba. Powerful strokes of his arms -pulled Biff swiftly through the water. He reached Chuba. - -"Take it easy. Take it easy, Chuba. I've got you. You'll be all right. -Don't fight me." - -Biff crooked his left arm around Chuba's neck. - -"Just lie on your back, Chuba. I'll do the rest." - -At Biff's words Chuba stopped thrashing. He forced himself to relax, -buoyed both in body and spirit by the firmness of Biff's arm. - -Slowly, with a one-armed backstroke, Biff towed the native boy toward -the shore. The current slackened below the falls, making Biff's task -possible. Foot by foot, Biff propelled himself and Chuba toward the -riverbank. At long last, he felt one of his kicking feet touch bottom. - -"Okay, Chuba. I think you can stand up here. Try it." - -Chuba's feet touched bottom. The two boys staggered through the shallow -water to safety. Chuba stretched out on the bank, gasping and trembling. - -"You save my life, Biff. How can Chuba ever thank you?" - -"Skip the thanks, Chuba. You've done plenty for me. And I know you'll do -plenty more. But how come you never learned to swim?" - -"Not many Chinese boys swim. Not in rivers where I grow up. Crocodiles." - -"I get it. Too dangerous." - -Chuba nodded his head. - -"Look, Chuba. You rest here. I've got to get the boat. All our supplies -are in it." - -Biff jumped up and ran along the bank downstream. The boat was drifting -slowly, lazily toward the bank. Biff plunged back into the water. He -reached the boat, pulled himself in over the side, and rowed to shore. -Chuba had moved down the bank, and waded out to grab the boat's bow. He -pulled it up on the bank. - -Half an hour later the boys reembarked. For the rest of the day they -traveled in smooth water. By dark, they reached Sundhiango, last stop of -their river voyage. - -From Sundhiango they headed northwest, toward the foothills of Mt. Minya -Konka, west of Chungking and Chengtu. Once clear of the river city, the -boys moved along a dirt road until weariness overtook them. Off the -road, they built a small fire, ate a mixture of flour and rice Chuba -dreamed up, and then slept. - -In the morning, Chuba inspected Biff carefully. - -"What's the matter?" Biff demanded. - -"You almost America boy again. More like fish called carp, though. All -streaky." - -"What do you mean?" - -"Your swims in river. Make betel juice fade. You look at self. We got to -make you Chinese beggar boy again." - -Chuba took out his bottle of juice, and smeared Biff's body and face. -"Now, all good again. We move out." - -"And up," Biff said, looking toward the mountains. - -By late afternoon, Biff and Chuba reached a town in the foothills. They -had been climbing steadily all day. Several times Biff had to swallow to -clear the pressure in his ears, brought on by the higher altitude. - -"You have some money, Biff?" Chuba asked. - -"Yep. Got a bunch of Burmese rupees. Can you spend them in China?" - -"Spend them like you say like water. Rupees much good. Better than -Chinese money. Chinese money now called _jin min piao_. Takes many -_jins_ to make one rupee." - -Biff dug into his bundle and brought out several coins. "This enough?" - -"Is plenty. We go into town to market. Chuba buy some food. You like -dried fish? Lichee nuts good, too." - -"Ugh. I'd rather have a hot dog." - -"Ah, hot dog?" Chuba nodded wisely. "Muscles tell me in America you eat -the dogs but like them hot." - -"By the millions, Chuba. Especially at baseball games. But not the kind -that bark." - -"Not real dogs?" - -"Nope. These are sort of like a sausage--shaped like sausage. You know -sausage?" - -Chuba nodded his head. "Oh sure, stuffed with rice, shark fins, and -sesame seeds, is real tasty." Biff shrugged. Might as well give up. -Chuba would just have to eat a genuine frankfurter some day. - -The boys walked on to the edge of the town. Biff stopped before they -passed through the gate. "Hold it a minute, Chuba. Something I want to -ask you." - -Biff had decided to make the first move toward locating his Uncle -Charlie. He considered showing Chuba the green ring. Should he do so -now, or hold on to it for an ace in the hole, for a time when the ring -might be the means of getting them out of a really tough jam. He'd wait. - -"What you want to ask Chuba?" - -"I want to know if you ever heard of a big and well-known Chinese -family. It was called the House of Kwang." Biff studied the native boy's -face. - -"Sure. Chuba hear about them. Once they rich. Big rich. Own many, many -acres for wheat fields. Many many acres for rice. They own big grain -sheds where other people bring wheat and rice to sell them for to store -it. But now no more rice. Not rich and powerful any more. Revolution and -new government get rid of all big landowners." - -"Did the House of Kwang have any property, any acres around here?" - -"No own acres here. But once they own big warehouse, like I say, for to -buy and sell wheat and rice and all kinds clothes and things." - -"Here in this town?" - -Chuba nodded his head. - -"Well, look, Chuba. I think maybe my Uncle Charlie came into this part -of China because of something he had to do with the House of Kwang. I -don't know exactly what. Do you think any members of that family would -be around here?" - -Chuba thought about Biff's question. "I don't know, Biff. But can find -out. Although family no longer strong and rich, Chuba has heard they -still stick close together. Help each other out. If one member of family -get in bad with government bosses, others get him out if he put in -prison." - -"Okay. That's what I wanted to know from you. When we get to the market, -think you could ask some questions without giving us away? I mean -without letting the people you ask know that we're in here looking for -Uncle Charlie?" - -"Think so, Biff. I ask if anyone hear about big bird--American bird with -much roaring noise. Lots people in this part of China still call -airplane big bird." - -"If you find anyone who seems to have the kind of information we're -looking for, see if there's any talk about a plane cracking up around -here. I feel sure Uncle Charlie would have come back long ago if there -weren't something wrong with his plane." - -"You trust Chuba, Biff. He find out everythings." - -The boys passed the gate of the walled town. This town was the largest -one they had yet gone through. The dirty streets again were filled with -people milling back and forth. Children stared at them wide-eyed and -curious. Dogs darted in and out, looking for scraps of food. Pigs roamed -the streets, paying no more attention to the people than the people did -to them. - -Biff could tell they were nearing the market place. His nose knew. -Inside the market, an open-air market filling one long block, the boys -passed booths selling everything from hot soups to shiny silks. Strings -of garlic hung on racks in all the food booths. The Chinese chew garlic -the way Americans chew gum. Small cakes made of chopped vegetables and -fruits were piled high on trays. There were fried peanuts and -sugar-covered orange peels. Strings of dried fish swung in the air. -Smoked ducks were suspended by their necks from long, slender bamboo -rods. - -Chuba made several purchases. Biff, having to remain silent, was unable -to protest against some of the foods Chuba added to his cloth sack. But -he knew he'd have to be mighty hungry to eat them. - -At one booth, where Chuba made several purchases, the native boy had a -long talk with the owner. During the conversation, Chuba once extended -his arms straight from his sides, and gave out with a sound like an -airplane engine, an engine that sputtered. - -The Chinese only shook his head. - -The boys walked along. "I think he know something, but no tell me," -Chuba said quietly. "When first I ask about big bird, a look on his face -tell me he has heard of something. But when I ask more, and become -airplane myself, he say no, he hear of nothing. I ask more people." - -Biff tagged along, silent, watchful, amazed at many of the strange -things sold in the market. He saw a goose egg and watched a shopper -haggle with the owner over its price. Later, Chuba told him the egg was -four years old and uncooked. - -"Most delicious," Chuba said. - -Biff shuddered. - -Every store sold dried watermelon seeds. Chuba bought some, gave a -handful to Biff. Biff chewed on them, but found little taste to the -small morsel inside the shell. - -It had become dark. Flares lighted the market place. Chuba turned to -Biff, a discouraged look on his face. "Buying things fine. Finding out -about Sahib Charlie not fine. Chuba learn nothing." - -The boys retraced their steps back to the city gates. Again they were -going to sleep in the open. Biff much preferred this to sleeping on the -floor of an airless room. - -Just as they passed through the gate, a figure came out of the shadows. -He touched Chuba on the arm and in a hissing whisper, spoke into the -boy's ear. - -"Man say for me to come back with him. Maybe can help me. Say I must -come alone. You stay right here, Biff. Chuba be all right. Be back -quick." Chuba and the stranger headed back toward the market. - -But Chuba didn't come back quickly. The minutes seemed to drag along. -Biff was becoming worried. He had just about made up his mind to seek -Chuba out when he saw his friend running toward him. - -Chuba was breathless, more from excitement than from his short run. - -"Chuba has news. Big news. Man takes me back to another fellow. This -other fellow much wise. Say he hear big American plane make force -landing. Near mountains. Maybe fifty miles from here." - -"Did he tell you how long ago, Chuba?" - -Chuba nodded his head up and down rapidly. "He say maybe three, maybe -four weeks ago." - -"Hey. That _is_ good news. That could be Uncle Charlie. Did he know what -happened to the pilot? Was he hurt?" - -"I ask that. But fellow say he don't know." - -Biff was thoughtful for a few moments. "It's a good lead, Chuba. You -know which way to go?" - -"Sure. Fellow tell Chuba." - -"Seems to me this fellow told you a lot. I wonder why. Particularly -since no one else seemed to know what you were talking about." - -"I don't know, Biff. Fellow very nice. But funny-looking fellow." - -"What do you mean, funny looking?" - -"One eye closed like door. No see out of it. Fellow have only one good -eye." - -Biff's thoughts raced back to the Chinese passenger on the plane from -Indianapolis to Chicago--a Chinese with a drooping eyelid. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV - The Circling Plane - - -The next day, in a small village of only a few mud and thatched houses, -Chuba continued his inquiries. This time, the second man he asked told -of having heard of a big bird "roar like the thunders of heaven." It had -been seen coming down in the mountains. - -In mid-afternoon of the second day after leaving the market town, Chuba -came up with more definite information. He was told that a flying man -had come down in the foothills near a police outpost called Jaraminka. - -Chuba was elated by the news that now seemed to be coming to them so -easily. - -"Too easily," Biff said. - -"How you mean, Biff?" - -"I'm not sure, Chuba. But it seems strange to me that everyone seems to -be helping us along. It's as if we're being guided to this certain -place." - -"That is not good?" - -Biff shook his head. "It's too good. It could be a trap. I'm pretty sure -now that someone has spotted me, or at least, knows I'm in this part of -China." - -"How could they know that? You look like Chinese boy, not like American -Biff Brewster." - -Biff didn't reply at once. He was thinking. He was thinking that by -asking questions about the House of Kwang, about a downed flyer, -someone's curiosity had been aroused. Someone was very interested in his -search for Charles Keene. Otherwise, how had it been so easy to get the -information Chuba had been given? - -Biff also felt sure that the person, or persons, responsible for feeding -Chuba directional information must know that it was he, Biff Brewster, -who was in China. He couldn't drive from his mind the picture of the -Chinese with the drooping eyelid. Chuba's description of the man with -one eye fitted too closely. - -"Chuba, I think we're definitely being led into a trap. Someone is -leading us to the place where my uncle is. It may be friends. It may be -members of the House of Kwang. But, it also may be enemies of my uncle. -They may be holding my uncle prisoner, and want to capture me, too. -Don't ask me why, I don't know all the answers. But I've got a hunch." - -"If we being led into trap like poor little goat into dragon's mouth, -maybe we better stop. Maybe go different way. Maybe better give -Jaraminka the by-go," Chuba suggested. - -Biff smiled. "No, we won't give Jaraminka the 'go-by.' We'll let -ourselves be led into--or up to the trap. It's our only chance of -finding my uncle. We don't have any other leads. But maybe we can get -right up to the trap and avoid having it sprung on us." - -The boys climbed a narrowing mountain trail higher into the foothills. -Nightfall found them in a wild, desolate spot. No lights could be seen -in any direction they looked. At the altitude they had reached, a chill -came with the night air. - -Chuba hurried about searching for dried, dead wood. He heaped up a large -pile. - -"Think it's safe to build a fire?" Biff asked. - -"Sure. Much safe. Better to have fire and be warm. Better also to have -fire to keep mountain bears and wild pigs away. Anyway, who want to -catch two boys?" - -"I don't know, Chuba. I don't know," Biff replied. - -The fire was soon blazing, sending out its friendly warmth and -brightening the wild spot where the boys had decided to pitch their -camp. Chuba had water boiling in a small can, ready for the rice which -had become their nightly meal--rice, with some of the strange foods -Chuba had purchased stirred in it. - -"Chow, Biff. We eat. I way out hungry, man." - -Chuba started ladling out the steaming dish. - -"Hold it a minute, Chuba. Hear anything?" - -Chuba raised his head. Both boys tensed. From far away, to the south, -there came a low hum, not much louder than the buzz of a bee. As the -boys listened, the hum grew louder and more distinct. A minute passed. -There was no mistaking the sound now. - -"It's a plane, Chuba! A plane!" - -"Maybe Sahib Charlie," Chuba shouted. - -"Look! Look!" Biff was on his feet, pointing. Now the plane was in sight -against the darkening sky. It was coming low. Its green starboard wing -light and red port wing light were flashing alternately on and off, on -and off. - -The plane seemed to be coming directly at them, as if attracted -moth-like to their bright fire. It swooped over the boys, so low they -both involuntarily ducked. Then the plane circled, roared back over -them, and then disappeared over a low ridge to the west. The sound of -its twin engines died away. - -"I'd bet you anything that was a Cessna. Like the job that brought me to -Unhao from Rangoon," Biff said, his voice filled with excitement. - -"You mean like plane that Muscles fix for sahibs back at camp?" - -"That's right, Chuba. Can't be sure, though." - -"Maybe was scouting plane of army. Maybe was spying on us," Chuba said. - -Biff's spirits sank. Chuba could be right. - -"Think we better get out of here then? Find another place and hide?" - -"Might be good idea, Biff. Hate to leave nice warm fire, though." - -"And I'd hate to leave just in case that was a plane from Unhao, looking -for us. Or, as you said, it just could be Uncle Charlie." - -The boys sat down by the fire. Biff ate his food slowly. The minutes -became an hour. Another hour passed. Chuba had curled up in his long -cloak, and was sound asleep. Biff looked at the sleeping boy, and felt a -yawn stretching over his face. - -He stirred the fire, pulled his long cloak firmly about him, and curled -up too. He didn't think he could sleep--his mind was too filled with -thoughts about the plane. But Biff's resistance to sleep was mostly in -his mind, not in his body. Tired--he always seemed tired these days--he -dropped off to sleep in seconds. - -How long he slept, Biff didn't know. But he did know that something had -awakened him. He opened his eyes. He listened. He thought he heard a -sound just behind a nearby stunted tree. - -"Chuba." He poked his companion. "Chuba, wake up." - -Chuba stirred, rolled over, and opened his eyes to look into Biff's -face. "What is it, Biff?" - -"I think somebody's watching us. From just outside the ring of the -fire's light." - -Both boys remained silent. Nothing happened. Then the sound came again. -Someone, or something, was certainly watching them. Biff could hear his -own heart beat. He looked in the direction of the sound. A huge figure -stepped from behind the tree. As it walked toward the fire, its dancing -shadow became that of a giant. - -"Well, fancy meeting you here!" the giant said. - -"Muscles!" - -The boys jumped to their feet. The giant mechanic, a big grin splitting -his face, strode up to the fire. Biff and Chuba leaped on him, pounding -him on the back. - -"Easy boys. Easy. I'm footsore and bone-tired from walking over these -here mountains. Never had anything like them back in good old Kentucky." - -"How'd you get here? Was that your plane? Who was flying it? Where'd you -land? Is my uncle safe?" Biff's questions shot out in a rapid-fire -burst. - -"Easy, Biff. Easy. One at a time. Now I'll try to answer your quiz -program. No word from your uncle. Yep, that was me in that plane that -flew over here a coupla hours ago. Jack Hudson was flying her. We -touched down just long enough for me to hop out. Jack's almost back to -Unhao by now. Now how 'bout a spot of China tea? I'm tired and hungry." - -"Me fix, Muscles. Right away. Chop. Chop." Chuba got busy. More wood -went on the fire. Out came the all-purpose can, this time to boil water -for Muscles' tea. - -"Now what about you two? Give me a fill-in." - -Biff quickly sketched the happenings since he and Chuba had slipped out -of the camp at Unhao. - -"So you think someone's spotted you?" Muscles asked. - -"I'm sure of it. Someone sure knows Uncle Charlie's being looked for. -We've been getting more information than they hand out at Grand Central -Station in New York." - -"And you've been told that a plane came down near a place called -Jaraminka." - -Biff nodded his head. - -"How far is that place from here?" - -"Not far," Chuba replied. "Maybe a day's walk. If we start early in -morning.... Here's your tea." - -Muscles took the hot liquid. "Well then, Jaraminka, here we come." - -As Muscles sipped his tea, he told the boys about landing on a cleared, -level plateau over a ridge of the Thanglung foothills to the west. - -"Not too far from here," Muscles looked at his watch. "Took me about two -hours to walk back to this fire we spotted from the air. We couldn't be -sure, of course, but we hoped it would be you boys. I guess I must have -walked almost straight up and down farther than I walked straight ahead -to get here." - -"And Jack went back?" Biff asked. - -"Yep. But we've got it all fixed. When we find Charlie, we're to make -our way back to that plateau. I've got a portable transmitter with me. -When we get there, I make a signal. Jack flies in, and it's back to -Unhao we go." - -Muscles made it sound so simple. Biff felt good as he listened to the -big man talk so confidently. But there were lots of "ifs"--if they found -Charles Keene, if they got back to the plateau, if the signal was heard -on time, if Jack could come back in. Biff shook his head. It was good to -have big Muscles with them, though. In any trouble, Muscles had a lot of -weight to throw around. - -"Now suppose we catch some more of that stuff called shut-eye--sleep to -you, Chuba, and be up and at 'em early in the ayem." - -"Chuba catch plenty eye-shut, Sahib Muscles. Tomorrow going to be big -days." - -Eye-shut! The two words reminded Biff of the Chinese with the drooping -eyelid. - -The two boys and the man stretched out by the fire and slept. At -daybreak, Muscles stirred. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and sat up. - -"Hey!" he exclaimed. "Looks like we've got visitors." - -Biff and Chuba sat up quickly. Standing silently, forming a ring -surrounding the three and the dying embers of the fire, were eight of -the fiercest looking men Biff had ever seen. - - - - - CHAPTER XV - Bandits! - - -Biff shot a quick look at Chuba. He wanted to see his friend's reaction -to the startling appearance of these men who looked as if they had -sprung from the age of primitive man. Good? Bad? Chuba would know. - -Chuba's eyes roved over the group. He turned his head quickly from man -to man, turning around to complete the circle. A frown on the native -boy's face gave Biff his answer. Chuba was worried. - -"Man, oh, man! Did you ever see anything like that bunch?" Muscles -asked. "They're from way out of nowhere." - -There was every reason for Muscles to be amazed. The men were small but -squat and powerfully built. Their eyes were slanted in broad, dirty -faces, the color of stained copper. Wide, cruel mouths turned down on -either side. Scraggly strands of wiry hair sprouted from ragged caps -made of mangy fur. - -Their legs were wrapped in rags. Coats, if they could be called coats, -were made of skins of wild animals, mountain goats, deer. One of the men -wore the skin of the Himalayan black bear. - -They stood in silence, their small, beady eyes watching for any move on -the part of Muscles and the boys. Two of the men held short, thick clubs -in their hands. Another held a long stick. Biff noticed that on the end -a wicked knife had been attached by thongs. Others held long, gleaming -curved knives in their hands. Only one man carried a gun, a short, two -barreled shotgun. It was an old gun. Someone had sawed off the barrel. -It could deal out body-ripping shots at short range. - -"Who are they, Chuba?" Biff asked. - -"You mean _what_ are they?" Muscles cut in. - -"Bandits. Chinese bandits," Chuba replied. "They bad. Very bad." - -"They're not soldiers, then. Not members of any patrol?" - -Chuba shook his head. "No. Much worse. These people roam the hills and -mountains. They steal, kill. They like wild men. Sometimes come into -town, but most times, live like tribe, sleep in caves, eat anything they -can kill." - -"What do they want with us?" Biff asked. - -"Rob us. Maybe kill us if we try to fight." - -"Huh. Some chance," Muscles cut in again. "Why, I can take on that whole -gang single-handed." Muscles towered over the bandits. He was bigger, -and weighed more than any two of the bandits together. - -"Not so sure, Muscles," Chuba said quietly. "These men fight and kill -bears, tigers. Only use their knives." - -"Only guy that worries me is that one with the sawed-off shotgun," -Muscles decided. - -"Why don't they say something, Chuba? What are they waiting for?" Biff -asked. - -Chuba shrugged his shoulders. - -"Can't they talk? Can you understand their language?" - -"They talk, sure. But be hard for Chuba to understand them. They speak -what you call tribe dialect. Some Chinese words. Some words only they -know." - -"Can they understand you?" - -"Sure. They understand most Chinese talk. Not all words. But enough." - -"Ask them what they want." - -Chuba swallowed. He directed a rapid string of Chinese words at the man -carrying the gun. - -The gun carrier grunted and spoke in a deep, guttural voice to the man -beside him. - -"Did you get that, Chuba?" - -Chuba shook his head. - -The gun carrier took one step forward. He looked Muscles carefully up -and down. Next his eyes swept over Biff. Then he spoke, turning his eyes -on Chuba. He spoke slowly. Sometimes moments of silence would appear -between his spaced words. - -"He says they want all things we have. Gun man speaker says he wants -clothes of the giant man." - -"My clothes! Fat chance," Muscles snarled. - -The bandit spoke again. - -"He says open up bundles. He wants to see what we have." - -Biff knelt down. His and Chuba's bulky bundles were together. Biff -started untying the nearest one, which happened to be Chuba's. - -"If we give them our things, will they let us alone?" Biff asked. - -"Chuba can't say. Maybe so so. Maybe no. Maybe they give us this." Chuba -brought his hand swiftly across his throat. Biff felt a sickening -sensation in his stomach. - -Feeling around in Chuba's bundle, Biff's hand struck an oblong object. -It felt like a box. Biff carefully lifted the cloth from which the -bundle was made. He raised it so that the bandits would be unable to see -what the box was. If the situation hadn't been such a dangerous one, -Biff would have laughed. Chuba had brought with him his Evil Spirit -Box--the one Muscles had frightened Chuba with the first morning Biff -was in camp. - -Touching the box, an idea came into Biff's head. - -"Chuba, quick! Tell me more about these bandits. Are they superstitious? -I mean, frightened by strange things, things they've never seen before?" - -"Much afraid. Big fear of spirits." - -Biff nodded his head. "I've got an idea. Think we could scare them with -your Evil Spirit Box?" - -Excitement danced in Chuba's eyes. "They be scared like crazy. More -scared than Chuba was." - -"Okay. We'll try it. Now you tell them something like this. Tell them we -are protected by magic of the gods. The evil spirit will put its hand on -them unless they let us go. They are not to bother us. Make it good. Bow -down and stuff like that. Look to the sky and make like you're calling -the spirit." - -"Chuba catch wise. Make big show." - -"Okay. Now, at some point when you're putting on your act, when the -bandits are all looking at you, I'll yell 'Fly!' When I do, I'll toss -your spirit box into the air. You swing around and catch it. I'll have -it started. You hold it up high when the siren's going. Then place it on -the ground and jump back when the hand comes out. Tell them that's the -hand of the evil spirit, reaching out to touch them." - -Chuba was grinning now. Muscles stood there, hands on hips, shaking his -head. Chuba turned back to the bandit leader. He hunched up his -shoulders. He twisted his face into an ugly leer. Then he began -speaking. He spoke at first in a sing-song voice. He spoke faster and -faster, raising his voice higher. He dropped down and touched the ground -three times with his head. Up he leaped, extending his arms skyward. - -Chuba was putting on a good show. Biff watched the faces of the bandits -closely. There was no expression, yet their eyes followed every movement -Chuba made. - -Biff took the spirit box out. No one saw him. Even Muscles was -fascinated by Chuba's writhing, his sing-song chanting. Biff touched the -button activating the box. - -"Fly!" he called out. He tossed the box in the air, high enough so that -as it came down over Chuba's head, it almost appeared to be falling from -the sky. - -Chuba caught the box deftly. Again he spoke to the bandits. He raised -the box high over his head, just as the first faint whine of the siren -began. The siren's scream rose higher and higher. Quickly Chuba placed -the box on the ground and stepped back. The lid of the box slowly -opened. - -Biff looked again at the bandits. The faces without expression now -looked curious, then terrified. - -The lid of the box raised. The plastic hand snaked out. - -Stark terror now seized the bandits. They cringed back. One of them, -unable to stand it any longer, turned, broke, and ran. He was followed -by another and another. Only the leader remained, staring at the spirit -box as if spellbound. - -Muscles went into action. He dived for the box. He snatched it from the -ground, turned, and with the box extended in his outstretched hands, he -moved toward the bandit chief. This was too much. With a horrified -shriek, the bandit chief turned and raced down the slope after his -companions. All were running as if they were really pursued by demons. - -Muscles quickly reset the box, so that the scream of the siren, rising -to its highest pitch, seemed to be following close to the bandits' ears. - -Muscles put the box back on the ground. He slapped his huge thighs, -threw back his head, and roared with laughter. Biff and Chuba joined -him. All three laughed until they sank to the ground, their voices -shaking as they tried to talk. - -Finally, Muscles heaved his shoulders and took a deep breath. "Ever see -anything like that? Those guys were really scared. Took off like jet -fighters. When I think that I sent to the States for that fool toy to -scare Chuba, well...." - -"Never knew it was going to save your life, did you? Still think twenty -dollars was too much for it?" Biff said, trying to control his laughter. - -"I level with you now, Muscles. I real scared first time I see spirit -box," Chuba confessed. - -"But those guys! They really did think the Evil Spirit was going to put -the hand on them," Muscles said. - -"Here's one time I'm glad you can't tell good from evil," Biff said. - -"Think they'll come back, Chuba?" Muscles asked. - -"Never. They really gone. Give us the big go-round now. Not ever want to -see us and box again." - -"The spirit really moved them, eh, Biff?" Muscles said. - -Biff laughed, but Muscles' joke was over Chuba's head. - -It was almost broad daylight now. The sun was rising. Biff stood up. -"We'd better get going. Maybe we can reach Jaraminka by nightfall." - -"Okay by me," Muscles agreed. "Let's make with the feet, Chuba." - -Biff looked northward. Nestled somewhere in the foothills of the -Thanglung mountains was the outpost of Jaraminka. Uncle Charlie might be -there. He might be the bait being used to bring Biff and his companions -into a trap. - -It was a risk they would have to take. - - - - - CHAPTER XVI - Strange Discovery - - -In the distance, perhaps a hundred miles away, the towering peak of Mt. -Minya Konka, reaching 25,000 feet skyward, could be seen. The day was -clear, crystal-blue clear. The air was chill and would remain so until -the sun's rays bore down more strongly. - -"You better take the lead, Chuba," Muscles said. "Off we go, searching -for Ja-ra-mink-a." He sang his last sentence to the tune of the Air -Force song, "Into the Wild Blue Yonder." - -"Hold it a minute," Biff said. "You know, if we head straight for -Jaraminka, we might be walking right into the hands of the enemy. -Wouldn't they expect us to take the most direct route?" - -"You got something there, Biff, m'boy. What're you cooking?" Muscles -asked. - -"I think we should head west, west northwest, rather than due north. -Head for Minya Konka. Then, when we've gone further inland, cut back -north and make our approach to Jaraminka from the west." - -"Good idea, Biff. Let's move out." - -The three trudged westward, climbing, climbing. Big, craggy rocks dotted -the sides of the slopes they scrambled up. Often they had to make wide -detours to get around a cliff that rose straight up. - -After two hours of scrambling, slipping, struggling against the rugged -terrain, Muscles called a halt. - -"We'd better take a break." The rarefied air of the altitude had all -three panting for breath. At Muscles' words, Biff and Chuba sank to the -ground without a word. Muscles flung himself to the ground beside them. -Slowly their breathing became more even, strength flowed back into their -bodies. - -Muscles sat up, pulled out a cigarette. He lit it, took three deep puffs -and tossed it away. - -"Burns my lungs at this altitude. How far you figure we've gone, kids?" - -"Like you said last night. If we measure the ups and downs, then we've -covered quite a distance. But I doubt if we've covered more than five -miles straight away," Biff answered, and Chuba nodded in agreement. - -"That plateau where Jack landed me must be just a short distance south -of here. I'm making landmarks so we can spot the place when we come -back," Muscles explained. - -Biff looked the area over carefully, too. Two peaks rose straight up, -miles apart. A smaller peak was centered exactly between the two taller -ones. - -"Just like the letter 'W,'" Biff said to himself. He would remember -that. - -"Think we better turn north now, Biff?" Muscles said. "Be lot easier -traveling. Faster, too. We'll be moving along the valley. Not so much of -this up and down stuff. Particularly the up. I've had enough of that. -I'll take my climbing in a plane." - -"I guess so, Muscles. We'll head up the valley, now, Chuba," Biff -directed. - -They set off again. Traveling was easier. They moved along briskly. The -air was becoming warmer, and soon the floor of the valley sent up -shimmering heat waves in front of them. - -Except for brief pauses, no one called for a break until Muscles looked -at his watch. - -"It's noon. How about a breather and something to eat?" - -Chuba broke out his supply of food--his "goodies," Biff had named them. - -"This is food?" Muscles asked skeptically, looking at the portion Chuba -handed him. He ate it, but his face twisted comically as he tasted and -then quickly gulped the food. - -After a half-hour rest, during which Muscles complained bitterly about -the menu, they were ready to continue. Their progress up the valley -continued smoothly for the first hour. Rounding a sharp bend, the valley -came to an abrupt end. - -"Now what's this little obstacle placed in our path?" Muscles asked. - -"Wish it were just a _little_ obstacle," Biff replied. Directly ahead of -them, the ground angled sharply upward. Above, it leveled off like the -outside rim of a giant football stadium. - -"We go right or we go left, Chuba?" Muscles asked. - -"We'll go straight up," Biff replied. "Let's see what's on top. Surely -can't tell from here. After we take a look-see, we'll probably bear to -the right. Jaraminka must be off that way." Biff pointed slightly to the -northeast. "Think so, Chuba?" - -Chuba nodded his head. - -They mounted toward the rim at the top of the sharp incline. In places, -the ground rose so sharply they had to pull themselves up, grabbing the -stunted trees for handholds. - -Nearing the top, they ran into a barrier that stopped them cold. This -was a man-made obstacle, the last thing to expect in this wild, remote -country. It was a heavy, metal-barred fence. It stood higher than -Muscles' head, and three strands of ugly barbed wire were stretched -along the top. - -"What the--" Muscles' eyes bugged out in astonishment. - -The fence stretched out to the right and left in a long curve. The -ground was cleared on both sides of the fence, forming a path easy to -walk along. - -"This we have to find out about," Biff said. "Why fence in a mountain -top unless there's something inside that's top secret?" - -"That fence could be electrified. Stay clear of it," Muscles warned. - -"Could be," Biff said, "but I doubt it. It would take a lot of power to -do it. Besides, where would the power come from? Let's follow it, to the -right. But be alert. Good fences don't mean good neighbors here. I've a -hunch these good fences mean good guards every few feet." - -They followed the curving fence cautiously and on the alert. Biff took -the lead. They continued until Biff figured they had covered ninety -degrees of a gigantic circle. The fence remained an equal distance from -the rim at the top as they followed the path. - -"Hold it!" Biff held up his hand. Then he motioned Muscles and Chuba -forward. - -"Look," Biff pointed to a gap, wide enough and deep enough for a man's -body to slip beneath the fence. - -"Some animal must have been as curious as we are," Biff said. "Something -burrowed under the fence." - -"Well, what are we waiting for?" Muscles grinned. He dropped to his -hands and knees and wiggled through the opening. Chuba followed, and -Biff brought up the rear. - -Crouching low, the three approached the top of the rise. They crawled -the last few feet, reached the rim, and raised their heads slowly. What -they saw made them all gasp. - -They were looking into an immense bowl, covering an area so great it was -impossible to take it in with one look. They pivoted their heads, -following the rim of the bowl. - -The activity on the floor of the bowl made them squint their eyes in -disbelief. Everywhere they looked they saw bulldozers, huge cranes, -steam shovels, and thousands of men working furiously. The bottom of the -bowl was so far away that the working men seemed like small moving -specks. The noises of the steam shovels digging into the earth and the -whines of the huge crane arms turning on their metal discs rose only -dimly to the ears of the astonished spectators. - -Toward the opposite side of the huge bowl, two cement runways in the -shape of a plus sign were dotted with planes. - -In still another section of the bowl, great steel trylons, resembling -oversized high-tension wire supporters, reared skyward. - -"What do you make of it?" Biff asked Muscles. - -The burly mechanic scratched his head. "You got me. Could be a lot of -things. It's got to be something mighty important, something really top -secret to build this gigantic complex in this remote spot. And how did -they get all this stuff in here?" Muscles asked himself. - -"I think," Biff said, "we'd better get _away_ from here--but fast." - -Muscles nodded in agreement. The three backed down, reached the fence, -scrambled beneath it, and headed for Jaraminka. - -Making as much speed as they could, they put distance between themselves -and their startling discovery. Biff's mind was filled with questions. -Foremost among them was one which kept coming back like an exam question -he couldn't answer. - -Did this tremendous, secret construction job have anything to do with -Uncle Charlie's flight into China? - - - - - CHAPTER XVII - A Red Hot Lead - - -Night overtook Biff, Chuba, and Muscles before they reached Jaraminka. -All were tired. The going in the dark was rough. But Biff was determined -to reach the town before they halted. - -"Another hour," Biff said, "and if we haven't gotten there, we'll hole -in for the night." - -"Okay by me," Muscles answered. - -Chuba nodded his head. - -They didn't have to go for the full hour. Following a narrow path, no -more than a rough goat trail, they rounded the side of a high pointed -hill. From far below their dangerous perch on the hillside, they saw -lights. Hundreds of lights, flickering like candles in a breeze. It was -a beautiful sight to come upon suddenly in the night. - -"Jaraminka," Biff said, and looked at Chuba for confirmation. - -"You right, Biff. That Jaraminka." - -"It's a lot bigger place than I thought it would be," Muscles put in. - -"It's in center of big, wide valley. Much good farm lands. Many rich -peoples once live here. Is nice in summer. Not too hot." - -"How about the House of Kwang, Chuba? They have any properties around -Jaraminka?" - -"Oh yes, Biff, always in summer time Old Lord and family go to -Jaraminka. Old Lord have big place here. His big house still here, but -Old Lord not own it any more." - -"Chinese Commies run him out?" Muscles asked. - -"You right, Muscles. They take over. Now this place big, important -outpost for Chinese Army." - -Why would the Chinese Army have a large installation in such a wild, -remote section of their big, sprawling country? The answer came to Biff -immediately. That big, fenced-in construction job was not more than ten -miles away. That had to be the reason. Just what was being built, -though, still puzzled the boy. - -"We'll bed down here for the night," Biff said, "and go into the town -early in the morning." - -"Real early, Biff," Chuba said. "Soon as sun start rising, farmers go -into town to market place. Bring things from farm to sell. We go in with -them. People think we farmers, too." - -"How about me?" Muscles asked. "I don't look like a Chinese farmer." - -Biff laughed. "Anything but." - -"You have to stay here. Guard our camp. We go into town, find out -things." - -"Okay by me. But say--be sure and leave me my pal." - -"Your pal?" Biff asked. - -"Yeah. My pal of protection--the spirit box." - -They all laughed, turned in and slept. - -Early in the gray of morning, Biff and Chuba were on the outskirts of -the village. A stream of solemn-faced farmers passed through the city's -gate. Chuba and Biff attached themselves to the parade and entered -unnoticed. - -Biff had reached a decision. If any member of the House of Kwang could -be located, he felt now would be the time to use the green ring. Keeping -his voice low, he spoke to Chuba. - -"Don't ask any more questions about Uncle Charlie. But find out, if you -can, if there are any members of the Kwang family around here." - -"I catch, Biff. If any Kwangs around, Chuba will locate them." - -The boys wandered through the sprawling city. They made for the market -place, always the center of the most activity. Going from stall to -stall, Chuba made his inquiries. He told the persons he questioned that -once he and his father had served the House of Kwang. Now, he said, in a -sad, tearful voice, he was only a beggar boy. If he could only find one -of the young lords perhaps the lord would remember his father, and give -Chuba a helping hand. - -At mid-morning, Chuba hit pay dirt. He engaged in a long conversation -with a young, slender Chinese. This Chinese was different from the -broad-faced farmers, the stall-keepers, the uniformed soldiers who -thronged the market place. His facial features were fine, his clothing -cleaner and richer than that of those surrounding him. - -Biff watched Chuba anxiously. He saw his friend bob his head up and down -in agreement, then the two parted. - -Chuba rejoined Biff, motioned to him to follow, and Chuba led the way -back to the gates of the city. Once outside, Chuba told Biff of his -conversation. - -"This man I talk to. His name Chan Li. Once he young lord of house like -House of Kwang. Not so big. Not so rich. But House of Li and House of -Kwang good friends. House of Li taken over just like House of Kwang. He -hate government bosses." - -Biff felt himself becoming excited. This could be the lead they had been -searching for. - -"Did you ask him if any members of the House of Kwang were still in -Jaraminka?" - -"Chuba did. Chan Li say yes. He say he know many things. But he say he -must be very careful. Cannot take us to where Kwang family in hide-out -unless we have proof we friends, not enemies, or police spies." - -Biff's hand went inside his cloak. He felt for the ring. This was it. -The ring would bring the good fortune it promised. - -"What's our next move?" - -"We go back to where Muscles hiding. Then, when sun stands straight up -in sky over our heads, we meet with Chan Li." - -"Where? Back in the city?" - -"Oh, no. Too much risky. Remember, on our way down to city, we come to -little brook fed by spring?" - -Biff nodded his head. - -"We meet there. Come, we tell Muscles." - -Back with Muscles, the three held a council. Their plans depended on -what they would learn from Chan Li. But how could Muscles be kept -informed? It wouldn't do for him to attend the meeting. - -"Maybe I could be there but not be seen," Muscles said. "Any cover near -the spring where I could hide? Maybe I could overhear what this Li -character has to offer." - -"I think so, Muscles. Come, we go down now and see. Not too long before -sun stand straight up." - -Near the spring, they found a heavy thicket where Muscles could conceal -himself. - -"When you're translating for Biff, raise your voice slightly, Chuba. Not -loud enough to cause suspicion, but loud enough for me to hear." - -"Let's have a dry run of that," Biff suggested. - -Muscles concealed himself in the thicket. Chuba talked to Biff in a tone -slightly louder than normal. - -"You hear all right, Muscles?" Biff asked. - -"You're coming through loud and clear," was the reply. - -"How much time before noon?" - -"Ten minutes," Muscles called back. - -Chuba spoke to Biff. "You stay here now. I go little piece down hill, -see if I can spot Chan Li coming up." Chuba left. Biff remained silent, -not wanting to give Muscles' position away by talking to him any more. - -In a few minutes Chuba returned. His face told Biff the story. - -"He's coming. Be here real quick." - -"Is he alone?" - -"He by himself." - -Good, Biff thought. If Chan Li acted suspiciously, or tried any funny -stuff, Muscles lay in waiting. - -Chan Li came into the small clearing around the spring. He bowed low to -Chuba, then repeated the gesture to Biff. - -"He asks who you are, Biff," Chuba translated. - -"Tell him I am a friend of the House of Kwang. I seek their help." - -Interpreter Chuba spoke swiftly. - -"He says he needs proof of this. He must be sure you are real true -friend." - -It was now or never, Biff decided. He reached under his cloak and took -out his key chain. Turning his back to Chuba and Chan Li, he took the -ring off the chain. Turning, he held it out. "Ask Chan Li if this is -proof enough?" - -The slender Chinese stepped forward. He took the ring from Biff's hand. -He inspected it carefully, then replaced it in Biff's hand. - -"It is the ring of the Ancient One, the Old Lord of the House of Kwang," -he said to Chuba. When Chuba gave this information to Biff, his heart -pounded with excitement. - -"Now tell him, Chuba, that we come here to find my Uncle Charles, or to -get any definite information as to where he is." - -Chuba's head went up and down. He spoke to Chan Li. Their conversation -went on and on. Biff's anxiety grew. Chan Li's answer was all important. - -At long last, much to Biff's relief, the conversation ended. It was a -solemn-faced Chuba who turned to Biff. "He has told me many things. Many -things we wanted to know." - -"Well, what are they? What are they?" Biff demanded impatiently. - -"He says Sahib Charles is being hidden from soldiers by House of Kwang." - -"What!" Biff clapped his hands. He couldn't contain his joy. "Tell me -more." - -"Chan Li says more, that Sahib Charles hurt self when plane come down." - -Biff's joyful feeling vanished. "Badly? Was he hurt badly?" - -"No. Not too bad. But enough to keep him from traveling. Now he all -better. All is arranged for House of Kwang to help Sahib Charles get -back to Burma." - -"What can we do to help?" - -"Chan Li will take us to hide-out place. We get Sahib Charles, lead him -back to--" - -Biff held up his hand. "Wait." Biff felt there was still need for -caution. He didn't want Chuba to mention the plan for the plane pickup. -He didn't want him to reveal Muscles' presence. There was no way of -knowing whether Chan Li understood English or not. Until they reached -Uncle Charlie, it would be wiser, Biff felt, to hold back what little -ammunition they still had. - -"Ask him where is this hide-out where my uncle is?" - -Chuba turned back to Chan Li. He spoke rapidly. Chan Li replied, and -pointed in a direction north of Jaraminka. - -"Just north of the city. In those foothills you can see from here." - -"How long will it take us to get there?" Biff was asking these questions -for the benefit of the hidden Muscles. - -"An hour, says Chan Li. Maybe little more. But not much." - -"And is he ready to take us there now?" - -Chuba again nodded assent to the question. - -"Tell him, then, that we are ready to go right now." - -Chuba spoke to Chan Li. The Chinese replied with a deep bow, and the -sweep of one arm, as if to say, "I lead. You follow." - -As if speaking to himself, but in a clear voice, Biff said, "An hour -there, an hour with Uncle Charlie, and an hour back--a bit more, -perhaps. Four hours at the most." Biff stressed the words, "four hours." - -He hoped Muscles would understand. He hoped Muscles would know that if -they weren't back in four hours, then something had gone wrong. - -With Chan Li in the lead, they headed for the distant foothills. - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII - The House of Kwang - - -Muscles didn't move. He kept his eyes glued to his watch until ten -minutes had passed. Not until then did he think it safe to come out of -his hiding place. He had overheard every word. He, too, had been -thrilled at hearing that his good friend, Charles Keene, was safe. - -Going back up the hillside, being very careful to take the protection of -all cover on the way, Muscles muttered to himself his admiration of -Biff. - -"Smart kid, that Biff," he said softly. "He's not showing his whole -hand. He wants to be shown first." Muscles looked at his watch. The -hands pointed to 12:30. - -"Four hours, Biff said. That will make it four-thirty." Muscles grinned. -"If they're not back by that time, Muscles is going to muscle in." - -Nothing was said for the first half hour as Chan Li led Biff and Chuba -into the foothills to the north of Jaraminka. Chan followed a course -which curved around the city. The city lay below them, about three miles -away, nestled in the center of an oval-shaped valley, rimmed by hills. - -The growth on the sloping hillside was thick, but the path they traveled -was wide and cleared enough for easy going. They made good speed. When -they reached a point almost due north of the city, the path turned -sharply to the left, and the incline steepened. - -They puffed their way up the path, putting the city farther and farther -behind them. After a particularly steep climb, they reached a level -area. Looking ahead, Biff saw that the path came to a dead end against a -low, stone wall. Gaping holes in the wall showed that it had been a -long, long time since any care had been taken of it. - -Chan Li came to the wall and scrambled over it. Biff and Chuba followed. -Chan Li called a halt once they were inside the wall, and standing in a -thick clump of trees. Chan spoke to Chuba. Chuba interpreted to Biff. - -"Chan say we almost there. Must go most careful now. Ahead is old house, -big house, once house of important family. Family all dead. Only evil -spirits remain. People afraid of old house." - -Chan Li pushed deeper into the woods. Biff had no chance to voice -suspicions that were growing in him. He felt that such a house must be -known. But would the "evil spirits" keep authorities from investigating? -Biff shook his head. He didn't like the situation. He couldn't tell -exactly why, but his doubts grew stronger. True, the house was deep in a -dense forest. It took quite a climb to reach it. It was a good five -miles from the outskirts of Jaraminka, and there had been no sign of any -other house on their path to reach it. - -The woods started to thin out. Biff could see they were coming to an -opening. As they neared it, Biff saw the gray outlines of several -buildings, linked together by a high stone wall. There was no sign of -life. The buildings, low, sprawling, had an ominous, mysterious quality -about them. The space between the woods and the house was just wide -enough for what once must have been a moat. - -Chan Li led the boys to an arched opening in the wall, and they passed -through it. Before them, Biff saw a large courtyard. A graveled pathway -led to the main door. Three small pools were spaced on either side of -the path from the opening to the house. - -As they neared the door, Biff sensed and felt the presence of someone -behind him. He turned his head. Two Chinese soldiers, each with a -revolver in hand, had closed in behind the three. - -Before Biff could raise his voice in protest, or question Chan Li, the -Chinese guide spoke. - -"Welcome to the House of Kwang." He entered the door. The guards moved -up behind Biff and Chuba. There was nothing they could do but follow -Chan Li. He led them down a long corridor. The corridor was lined with -small rooms on each side. This may once have been the House of Kwang, -Biff told himself, but there was little doubt as to what it was being -used for now. The small windows in the center of the doors were barred. -At several of the windows they passed, silent men stared out of the bars -at them. - -At the end of the corridor, two more guards threw open a large, richly -decorated door. Chan Li, a leer on his face now, bowed low, and with a -sweep of his arm, ushered the boys through. - -"The courtyard of the Ancient One. The Old Lord of the House of Kwang." -He spoke the words in perfect English. - -In the center of the room two men sat on high-backed throne chairs. One -of them was richly dressed in a flowing robe, decorated with red and -gold dragons. The other man, much older, was in tattered clothing. A -wispy beard waved downward from his chin. Both men wore tight-fitting -skull caps. - -"Approach, my friends," said the richly dressed man. Biff and Chuba -crossed the large room until they stood directly in front of the two -men. On closer inspection, Biff saw that the speaker who wore the rich -clothing had coarse facial features. His big, broad nose seemed to have -been ironed onto his face. The other man, though poorly dressed, had a -fine, proud face. He held his head high. His eyes, dimmed by the years, -were the eyes of a frightened man, but of a man who would face his fate -without flinching. - -"You are seeking the master of the House of Kwang, I am informed," the -younger man said. As he spoke, two men appeared from behind the chairs. -One of them had but one good eye. The lid of the other eye drooped until -the eye was shut. - -The Chinese of the Chicago plane! - -The man turned on a triumphant smile toward Biff. "We meet again, Mr. -Brewster," he said. - -"Silence, Mao!" commanded the richly robed man. "You have, I am told, a -ring with you, young man. A ring which indicates your great friendship -for the House of Kwang." The smile left the speaker's face. He leaned -slightly forward, and his next words were a stern, crisp order. "I'll -take that ring. I am Ping Lu, master of the house." - -Biff reached into his pocket. He detached the ring and held it out in -his open palm. Just as the richly robed man reached for it, the older -man arose, bent forward, and snatched it. As he did, Ping Lu, with a -sweep of his heavy arm, knocked the old man back into his chair. He -seized the old man's hand, and pried open his fist. He took the ring. - -The old man spoke. He spoke in Chinese. Ping Lu laughed as the old man -poured out a stream of words. - -"You may interpret for your American friend, if you wish," Ping Lu said, -addressing Chuba. - -"The Old One is the real Master of the House of Kwang," Chuba -translated. "He is called Tao Kwang, and is oldest of the remaining -Kwang family. The ring is his. He is much angered that it is now in -hands of richly dressed man." - -Ping Lu cut in. "True, all true. Once this old fool was the master of -this house. Oh yes, this was one of the many houses owned by him. But -_I_ am master of this house now. It is used by me and my government as a -place where we entertain--" he chortled at the word "entertain"--"our -more important guests. And Tao Kwang, though a doddering old fool now, -once held sway over this territory, and still thinks he has much -influence." - -Tao Kwang spoke again. Again Chuba interpreted. "Ancient One say still -many sons and nephews here. Say for us not to be afraid." - -"Of course there is nothing to be afraid of," Ping Lu said. "I hope you -will enjoy your stay with us." - -"How long do you intend keeping us prisoners?" Biff asked. - -"Prisoners? Let us say 'guests.' Of course, we will have to see that you -are protected at all times. That is why it will be necessary to have you -kept in a room guarded by two of my strongest soldiers. You ask how long -will you be staying with us?" - -Biff nodded his head. - -"That, young man, depends on the cooperation I expect to get from you in -a matter of great importance." - -"What is it?" Biff asked. - -"You will hear, in due time. But first, a few days rest here with us -should, I think, do much to show you the absolute necessity of your -cooperating." - -Biff didn't want to think of what the "few days rest" might mean. - -"Tell me this," Ping continued. "Your paying us this visit surely wasn't -only because of your friendship with the House of Kwang. I seem to -remember being told of other inquiries your clever young friend made on -your behalf." He motioned toward Chuba as he spoke. - -Biff decided on a show of boldness. There was nothing to be gained by -cowering before this self-important official. - -"You're right. I have come here in search of my uncle. His name is -Charles Keene." - -"So. Well, perhaps I can be of assistance to you. Perhaps the ring you -brought with you from so many thousands of miles away will bring you -good fortune." - -Biff felt like the mouse the cat was playing with. - -"Is he here?" Biff demanded. - -Ping Lu clapped his hands. The Chinese with the bad eye, whom he had -called Mao, came to him. Ping Lu leaned over and spoke softly into Mao's -ear. Neither Biff nor Chuba could hear what was said. Mao left the room. - -Ping Lu turned to Chan Li. He had been standing just behind the boys -during the conversation. - -"You may go now, Chan Li. And your reward will be given you as you -leave." - -Chan bowed, and turned toward the door. - -Tao Kwang, the Ancient One, spat out a single word as Chan left. - -Biff looked at Chuba. "He call him traitor," Chuba said. - -Ping Lu leaned back in his chair. He clasped his fat hands over his -bulging belly. A smirk of satisfaction was stamped on his face. - -The rasp of a door opening on the right side of the huge room caused -Biff to turn his head sharply. Through the door, prodded from behind by -the gun barrels of two soldiers, walked Uncle Charlie. - - - - - CHAPTER XIX - Uncle Charlie's Story - - -"Biff!" Charles Keene shouted his nephew's name hoarsely. He crossed the -room and placed his hands on Biff's shoulders. Strangely, the guards -made no move to stop him. - -"Gee, Uncle Charlie--" Biff broke off. He felt his voice choke up and -knew he wasn't far from tears. This, he told himself, would never do. -Not in front of the leering Ping Lu. - -"I'm sure glad we found you, sir. Chuba came with me." - -Chuba was grinning at Uncle Charlie. "We find you okay, Sahib Charlie. -You in good shapes?" - -"I've been very well cared for," Uncle Charlie replied, stressing the -word "very." "Ping Lu has seen to that." - -Uncle Charlie glanced at Ping Lu, then deliberately turned from him and -bowed low to Tao Kwang. A fleeting smile crossed the Ancient One's face. - -"Quite a reunion," Ping Lu said. "And surely a most happy one." - -"It would be, under different circumstances," Charles Keene said. - -"Those circumstances can be altered to suit you and your nephew, Keene," -Ping Lu said. He added, "It is but a slight thing I ask you to do." - -Charles Keene shrugged his shoulders. - -"Perhaps you would like to discuss it with your nephew. And I'm sure the -Ancient One could advise you well." Ping Lu clapped his hands. The door -through which Charles Keene had entered opened again. Across the room -came a tall, white-robed man. Biff glanced at the man, then stared hard -at him. It was Palung, the Chinese who had attempted to kidnap him at -the Rangoon airport. - -Palung didn't even look at Biff. Biff's escape from him and his two -knife-wielding thugs, had undoubtedly caused Palung to lose face. -Certainly Palung must have been disgraced in the eyes of his superior, -Ping Lu. - -"Show our guests to the large court. They have much to talk about. And -be sure this time the young one doesn't get away." The expression on -Ping Lu's face, the bark in his voice plainly said, "That's an order." - -The two guards who had escorted Charles Keene into the room took their -positions behind the three. A short, crisp sentence came from Ping Lu's -lips. The Ancient One arose from his chair and joined them. Palung led -them from the room. The guards stayed close behind. - -The room they were taken to was large, but sparsely furnished. There -were two wooden chairs, plain but sturdy. Low benches, used for -sleeping, lined the walls. - -The door closed behind the four, and they could hear a key turning in -the door's lock. No one spoke for several moments. Then Biff went to the -door to peer through its barred window. His stare was returned by a -guard's expressionless face. - -Biff turned back to rejoin the group. - -"All right, young man," Charles Keene said. "Now suppose you just tell -me how you happen to be here." - -"I will, Uncle Charlie. But first, don't you think we'd better check to -see if this room is bugged?" - -"You're right, Biff. Should have thought of that myself. There could -very well be a microphone hidden in this room. I imagine Ping Lu would -be most interested in what we'll be talking about." - -The inspection of the room took only a few minutes. The walls were bare. -There were no light fixtures, no wiring. There was no place where a -microphone could have been concealed. - -"Guess we're safe from their ears," Uncle Charlie said. "But why did -they put us together? They've got some reason, I know." - -Biff nodded his head. He picked up one of the chairs and placed it near -the bench directly opposite the barred door. Chuba brought over the -other one. Biff wanted to be as far away from the guard as possible. -Plans had to be made. Biff didn't want them upset by any eavesdropper. - -The two Americans and the two Chinese huddled by the wall. They spoke in -low tones. Biff quickly sketched in his experiences since leaving -Indianapolis. Then he plied his uncle with questions. - -"But what I don't understand, Uncle Charlie, is why they would want to -capture me? I'm sure that blinky-eyed Chinese was spying on me from the -moment I left Indianapolis. Even before, according to your friend Ling -Tang." - -"You're right, Biff." - -"And then I've told you how they tried to put the snatch on me at the -airport. But why?" - -"I can't give you all the answers, Biff. I'm not sure of them myself. -But I have a pretty good idea." Charles Keene paused to light a -cigarette. - -"I've been held here almost a month, now. Sort of lost track of the -actual number of days. At first I thought they'd ship me off to Peking, -the capital. But if I should agree to what Ping Lu wants me to, it would -be a large feather in his cap. He'd become a big shot in the eyes of the -big bosses in Peking." - -"What does he want you to do?" Biff asked. - -"Just sign a paper." - -"Sign a paper? Is _that_ all?" Biff asked, disbelief in his voice. - -Charlie Keene nodded his head. "It would be quite a document, Biff. He -hasn't let me read it, but from what he has said, I get the message." - -"But why the paper, Uncle Charlie?" - -"That's what I'm not altogether sure of. I think Ping Lu believes--in -fact, I know he does--he's convinced that I came into China for a reason -quite different from the real one. He believes the reason I gave him for -daring to enter this forbidden country is merely a cover-up story for my -real mission." - -"What does he think you're doing here?" Biff insisted. - -Charles Keene grinned. "He has me marked as a big fat spy." - -An idea was buzzing around Biff's mind. He thought he might have -stumbled on why Ping Lu was spy-minded. But he'd tell Uncle Charlie -about that later. He wanted to know some other things first. - -"But how does this all connect up with me?" Biff asked. - -"I figure it this way, Biff. I'm sure if Palung had been able to kidnap -you, they'd have started putting the pressure on me much sooner. When -you escaped, it upset their plans and their timetable. They had to have -you to force my hand." - -"To sign the paper, you mean?" - -"That's right. They would have held you hostage. They would have -promised to release you, unharmed, if I would agree to their demands." - -"You wouldn't trust them to live up to their promise?" - -"No. But more than that. I didn't think they had you. Certain questions -I asked led me to believe you were safe in Unhao." - -"And now I turn up right in their own backyard." - -"That's about it. I expect now they'll start turning up the heat." - -"What do you figure is in this paper they want you to sign?" - -"I think, Biff, they want me to sign an official paper, stating that I -came here under the orders of the United States Government to spy on the -Chinese. Just what they think I was looking for, I don't know." - -"Would such a document be so damaging?" - -"Very. It would embarrass our government and put an additional strain on -relations that are strained enough already. In the eyes of the world, -the Chinese could use such a paper to further discredit our country. -They would aim the propaganda at those countries that are wavering in -their opinion of the U.S." - -"Just why did you come into China? I think I know, but I'd like to be -sure," Biff said. - -"It goes back to Indianapolis and to my friendship with Ling Tang." - -"I thought so." - -"Ling Tang is a grandson of the Ancient One here. Before I left to come -out to Burma, Ling Tang asked me if I would help him and members of the -House of Kwang if the occasion should arise. Naturally, I told my old -friend that I would. Didn't know then, though, how much I was letting -myself in for." - -The Ancient One, although unable to understand English, pricked up his -ears at mention of Ling Tang and the House of Kwang. - -"I'd been out here about three months when I got a letter from Tang -telling me one of his brothers was going to try to escape from China. He -was going to try to cross into Burma. He would seek me out, identifying -himself with the ring which bears the seal of the House of Kwang." - -"Like the ring that came through my window?" - -"That's right, Biff. Tang's brother did get out. He gave me the ring. I, -in turn, sent it on to Tang in the States. Whenever another escape was -about to take place, the ring was to be sent me to alert me of the fact. -A lot safer than putting such information in writing." - -"Then it was Ling Tang _himself_ who got the ring to me so -mysteriously!" Biff said. - -"Yes. You were to bring that ring to me, and then I would know that -another Kwang was on the way out." - -"But why didn't you wait?" Biff asked. "Wait until I got here with the -ring?" - -"I couldn't. There's an underground network that passes information -along. From it, I learned that the Ancient One had finally been -persuaded to seek haven and peace in the outside world. I also learned -that he was in grave danger of being made a prisoner. If this happened, -then all members of the House of Kwang would have to obey the orders of -the Chinese Red government. The government believes that the House of -Kwang has hidden valuables worth millions of dollars. If they took the -Ancient One prisoner, the family would be forced to tell where these -valuables are or never see the head of their family again. And you know -how the Chinese worship and revere the head of the house." - -Chuba sat silent, wide-eyed, as Charles Keene told his story. - -"It was foolish of me, I guess. But when I heard they were about to move -in on the Ancient One, I decided on a gamble. I sent word back that I -was flying in. They were to have the Ancient One ready. I'd pick him up -and come out. I had the whole thing figured out. Wouldn't take more than -five hours in and out. I also figured on the element of surprise. No one -would be expecting such a bold move." - -"And what happened?" - -"Everything got fouled up. My starboard motor conked out. Carburetor -iced up in the rarefied atmosphere. Couldn't maintain flying speed and -had to make a forced landing. Banged the plane up so I couldn't take off -again. And then, just as I was making a signal to Unhao, they grabbed -me." - -"That _was_ you then. Your signal came the first morning I was in -Unhao." - -"So part of it did get through! I hoped it had." Charlie continued his -story. "I was brought here, and the next day, they brought in the -Ancient One." - -The conversation was cut short by the sound of the key turning in the -door. It swung open, and a Chinese entered bringing food. Biff hadn't -realized how much time had passed. But now he realized he was ravenously -hungry. As the servant placed the food on one of the benches, the guard -stood just inside the door, his gun covering the prisoners. - -Nothing was said as they ate. All were famished. Biff raised his plate -to scrape up the last few grains of rice. As he did so, his eye was -caught by a small, square piece of thin paper stuck on the bottom of the -plate. - -He removed the paper, and once more, saw the symbol "K," the seal of the -House of Kwang. - -Without a word, Biff handed it to the Ancient One. The old man looked at -it. Now it was his time to talk as the Americans and Chuba listened. - - - - - CHAPTER XX - Muscles "Muscles" In - - -Muscles checked his watch for the tenth time in the past five minutes. -He was growing more and more impatient. The minute hand showed it to be -ten minutes past four o'clock. Twenty minutes remained before Biff's -four-hour deadline would run out. - -The powerful mechanic had returned to the spring. He kept his eyes -turned in the direction of the path taken by Chan Li, Biff, and Chuba. -He kept them turned that way except for the times he glared at the -crystal of his watch. - -There was no sign of anyone. He could see the path at several spots. He -had watched closely as long as he could when the party of three had -left. Since their departure, he had seen no one. - -"They could be back by now," he said to himself. "Plenty of time to get -there and back." Impatiently, he strode up and down. Deep within him, -Muscles knew that he really wasn't expecting them to return. His doubts, -his fears had grown as the minutes became hours. He pounded his fist -into the palm of his other hand. He wanted action. He was a man of -action. This waiting, he told himself, was strictly for the birds. - -At 4:25, Muscles could stand it no longer. He started for the path. If -Biff, Chuba, Charlie Keene, and their guide were returning, he'd meet -them on the way. - -Muscles went along the path at a dog trot. Without realizing, he broke -into a run. He checked himself when he came to the path's sharp left -turn and the steep rise to the crumbling stone wall. - -Now he was certain that Chan Li had led his friends into a trap. It was -nearly 5:30--an hour over the deadline. The path by the wall, Muscles -noticed, ran each way. Which way to turn, left or right? His decision -was made for him by a sound. Muscles crouched low, just off the path, -out of sight. He could plainly hear someone coming toward him. - -He stared through a small opening in the thick bush he was using as -cover. His muscles tensed, he was ready to spring like a tiger. - -A figure suddenly came into view. It was Chan Li. With a snarl, Muscles -sprang. He jumped on the back of the Chinese. His weight hurled the -slighter man to the ground. Like a cat, Muscles leaped up. He snatched -Chan's right arm, twisted it, until Chan was face down on the ground. -Muscles, keeping pressure on the arm, plunked himself down on Chan's -back. Increasing pressure on the arm until Chan gasped in pain, Muscles -rasped out, "Okay, let's have it, and fast. Where are the boys?" - -Chan didn't answer. - -"You're going to be a one-armed Chinese if you don't talk." Muscles -cupped his free hand on the back of Chan's head. He ground the man's -face in the dirt. "Talk!" - -The pain was bad enough, but the humiliation of having his face ground -into the dirt, of losing face literally, was more than Chan could stand. - -"I talk," he said. - -Muscles released the pressure. He stood up. "Now get up, you dog. Get up -and tell me what happened." - -"I had to do it. I had to lead boys to Ping Lu. If I don't, he do great -harm to my family." - -"Ping Lu? Who's he? Member of the Kwang tribe?" - -"No, he big boss in this territory." - -"So, you turned traitor to your own. Where are the boys?" - -"In big house, not far from here." - -"Let's get going then. Show me the way." - -Chan Li seemed to shrink in size at Muscles' words. "Oh, no! No! Never. -They kill me. They kill you if we go back. Many guards. All armed." - -Muscles thought fast. "Charles Keene is there, too?" - -Chan nodded his head. - -"Now listen, you double-crosser. I don't trust you, but I've got to. Do -you know any members of the Kwang family who are opposed to this Ping Lu -you mentioned?" - -"Oh, yes. Are many around here." - -"All right. Now get this, and get it straight. You're going to take me -to one of them. And if you try to cross me, you'll die along with me. I -can knock you off with one blow." Muscles held a clenched fist to Chan's -face. He twisted it on the Chinese's nose. "I'll be this close to you -all the time. And believe me, I'll get you before anyone gets me. -Understand?" - -"I understand. Chan Li won't try double cross." - -"Okay. Let's get going then. And on the double." - - -The Ancient One took the slip of paper from Biff. He looked at it -carefully, then nodded his head. He turned to Chuba and spoke softly, -swiftly. After a few moments, he stopped and indicated with a nod toward -Biff and Charles Keene that Chuba was to interpret. - -"The Ancient One says there is great hope for escape. This piece of -paper comes from one of his grandsons. He works in the kitchen. It is -not known by the officials here that this cook is member of the House of -Kwang. He was placed here to spy on Ping Lu. To try to find out plans. -To warn when danger threatens Kwang House people." - -The Ancient One resumed his speaking. - -[Illustration: _He grabbed the guard by the collar and lifted him by one -hand into the room_] - -"He says that paper with 'K' on it is signal. Either tonight, when clock -makes twelve strikes, or tomorrow night at same time, attempt will be -made to rescue him and us." - -"How, Chuba? Ask him how?" Biff said. - -As Chuba spoke, the Ancient One shook his head. - -"Does not know exact plans. His grandson will try to be servant who -comes for tray. He will tell us plan." - -Biff looked at his uncle. "Guess there's nothing we can do but wait." - -Uncle Charlie agreed. "But things look good. When members of the House -of Kwang act, they're usually successful." - -"Then how in the world did they ever let the Ancient One get captured in -the first place?" Biff asked. - -"I think the Ancient One himself had something to do with that. He -doesn't really want to leave his homeland. He is old, and like all -Chinese, he wants his final resting place to be in the earth of his -native land." - -"I've heard that was true--Look, Uncle Charlie, I think I may have an -idea as to why Ping Lu is so desperate for you to sign that paper." - -"Give out, Biff. Give out." - -"Well, I'm not sure, of course, but on our way to Jaraminka, we ran into -something very strange." - -"Was much big workings," Chuba cut in. "Many, many more big machines -than when camp was cleared at Unhao." - -"Tell me more, Biff." - -Biff described the activity they had discovered behind the wire fence. -He told his uncle of the immensity of the project, of the furious pace -at which the men worked, of the bulldozers, the cranes, the steam -shovels. - -"And there's an air strip already completed. It was loaded with planes. -You have an idea what it might be?" - -Charles Keene thought a few moments before replying. "Only a slight idea -from what you've told me, Biff. I'd have to see the place." - -"Maybe you can take a look on our way back." - -"If we ever get out of here," his uncle said soberly. - -"We'll get out," Biff said spiritedly. - -"Hope you're right, Biff. You know, putting two and two together, the -build-up of the Army in this area, and what you've described, it could -be that Ping Lu thinks my real reason for coming in was to get -information on the huge construction job." - -"That's what I thought, Uncle Charlie." - -There was a noise at the door. All four raised expectant, hopeful eyes. -Their expression of hope changed to one of despair. - -The same servant who had brought the meal came into the room to remove -the tray piled with dishes. - -What had happened to the Ancient One's grandson? - - - - - CHAPTER XXI - Out of the Frying Pan - - -The clank of a heavy key in the lock of the door woke Biff the next day. -He started to yawn, and stretched the kinks from his shoulders and legs. -Abruptly he sat up. It could be the "cook!" Biff's hopes dimmed when the -man entered. Again it was the same old servant, well protected by an -armed guard. - -Biff looked at the Ancient One. His face was expressionless. Uncle -Charlie shrugged his shoulders at Biff's questioning look. - -"Don't let it get you down, Biff. We haven't lost yet. Maybe at the noon -meal, perhaps we'll get some word then." - -"Wish Muscles were here. If he were we could overpower the guard and -make a break for it." - -"Muscles--what made you think of Muscles all of a sudden?" - -Biff clamped his open hand on his head, his jaw dropped as a thought -struck him. - -"I com-plete-ly forgot to tell you. Muscles is _here_, in _China_, in -Jaraminka!" - -"Where'd you leave him?" Uncle Charlie decided details could be -explained later. - -"Back at a spring, just west of the city. I hope he got my message. I -tried to tell him--he was hiding, but I'm sure he could hear us--that if -we weren't back in four hours then we'd been led into a trap." Biff's -words rushed out in one jumbled sentence. - -"That's the best news I've heard yet, Biff. Muscles is a good operator." - -"But what could he do? He'd be spotted in a minute," Biff said. - -"Haven't got the answer to that one," Uncle Charlie replied. "But I'd -bet on Muscles in any situation. He bulldogs in where angels fear to -tread." - -The morning hours dragged. As noon approached, Biff became more and more -restless. - -"Wish something would happen--anything! I wonder why Ping Lu hasn't sent -for us?" - -"Playing a waiting game, Biff," his uncle replied. "The longer he keeps -us here with no word, the more tense and nervous we'll get. He knows -that. Uncertainty, waiting, not knowing what move the enemy will make -next is one of the surest ways of making a man reach his breaking point. -And your being here, he reasons, will make me twice as jittery." - -The hour of noon came and passed. No one came to the prison room. Biff -was wondering how near his breaking point was when, shortly after one -o'clock, the now familiar rasp of a key in the door was heard. - -"Make it be the Ancient One's grandson," Biff said half aloud. The -others were praying for the same thing. - -The door swung inward. Whether the new servant was the grandson, Biff -didn't know. But it was a different man. He brought a tray of food over -and placed it beside Tao Kwang. Biff thought he saw the man's lips move, -but he couldn't be sure. The servant left. The door was locked behind -him. Biff looked at Chuba. "Did he say anything? Ask the Ancient One." - -Chuba spoke softly, rapidly to the old man. The old one's reply was a -single sentence. Chuba translated: - -"Tonight when the clock makes the twelve strikes." - -"That's all? Didn't give you any details?" - -"That's all Ancient One tell Chuba. I think that all grandson tell the -Ancient One." - -Never had Biff known a day to pass so slowly. The suspense became -unbearable. Charlie Keene tried to calm Biff down. - -"I think you'd be better off if you'd try to rest. Pacing back and forth -isn't going to make the time go by any quicker. Get Chuba to teach you -the Oriental art of patience." - -"Rest? Who can rest at a time like this?" Biff replied. Then he was -ashamed at the angry tone in his voice. "I'm sorry, Uncle Charlie. I -didn't mean to--" - -"I understand, Biff. But you may need all your strength when midnight -comes. Try stretching out for a little while." - -Biff took his uncle's advice. His mind was in a turmoil as he lay on the -hard wooden bench, his cupped hands beneath his head serving for a -pillow. Sleep would never come, he told himself. The next thing he knew, -he was being gently shaken. Uncle Charlie was bending over him, -grinning. - -"Almost midnight, Biff. Better come alive." - -"Midnight!" Biff sat up in astonishment. He couldn't believe it. "But -what about supper? Did I sleep right through it?" - -"No one brought anything tonight. Don't know why." Charles Keene picked -up the kerosene lamp which gave the room its only light, and blew it -out. "If anything is going to happen, it would be better if the guards -thought we were asleep." - -They waited in the darkness. There was no conversation. But the tension -in the room was so strong, it seemed as though you could touch it like a -physical thing. Biff knew he could feel it. - -Biff's hopes went high and low like a playground swing. Suddenly his -ears caught a strange noise. It came from the far end of the corridor -through which Biff and Chuba had been led to Ping Lu. - -The noise grew louder. Shouts were heard. Running feet could be heard in -the corridor. Biff sprang to the barred window of the door. He peered -into the dimly lighted hall. The guard was gone. Now the cries became -louder. - -"Chuba! Can you make out what's being said?" - -Chuba came to the door. He put his head close to the bars. - -"Fire! Much shoutings of fire. Fire in kitchen!" - -In the kitchen. Where the grandson served as a cook. This must be it! - -Moments passed. Heavy footsteps were heard in the hall. Biff, his uncle, -and Chuba crowded toward the door. Only the Ancient One remained where -he was, seated on the far wall bench. He sat quietly, waiting. - -The sound of running feet came nearer. A figure skidded to a stop by -their door. Behind this figure stood what was certainly the biggest -Chinese in all the Orient. - -The key turned. The grandson came in. Behind him came the giant. Under -an almost concealing broad-brimmed hat, the "Oriental" was grinning -widely. - -"Muscles! How did you get here?" Biff and Charlie shot the question at -their friend in the same breath. - -"No time for an answer now. We got to make with the feet. There's enough -excitement in the kitchen now to cover our escape." - -The grandson was at the side of the Ancient One. He helped him to his -feet. - -"Hold it," Muscles called out. "Let me see if the coast is clear." He -leaned out the door. "Looks okay--oh-oh--hold it. A guard's coming -along. I'll take him." - -And he did. As the guard reached the door, Muscle's huge arm snaked out. -He grabbed the guard by the collar and lifted him by one hand into the -room. With his other hand, he struck the guard a chopping blow, and the -guard went limp without uttering a sound. Charlie Keene caught him as he -slumped over. - -"Stack him in the corner, Charlie. Might be another one coming along." - -Muscles was right. Another guard came trotting down the hall and -received the same treatment. - -"Two down--how many to go?" Muscles was enjoying himself. - -"More guards coming," Chuba whispered excitedly. - -"Two of them this time," Muscles said. "Makes a more even match." - -The giant mechanic waited until the two were in the corridor a pace -beyond the door. He jerked the door open, pounced on the two guards, and -in a swooping motion, cracked their heads together. He dragged them into -the room. - -"Muscles, look, let's put these four on the benches. Anybody looking in -will think it's us sleeping," Biff suggested in a whisper. - -"Smart," Uncle Charlie agreed, nodding. The unconscious guards were -carefully posed as drowsy prisoners. Chuba had taken a position just -outside the door as this was being done. - -"No more guards coming," he called softly. - -The four prisoners left their cell. Muscles motioned to the grandson for -the keys. He turned the lock. - -"Don't know whether you'd call that a fair exchange," he said, "but it's -an even one." - -"Come. We must lose no more time." The grandson took the lead. The -others followed. They passed through the room where Ping Lu had held -court. A door on the other side of the room led to another corridor, -this one narrower and shorter. - -"Hope he knows where he's going," Biff said. - -"He ought to. This used to be his home. He grew up here," Muscles -replied. - -At the end of the corridor, their path was blocked by another door. The -grandson tried it. It wouldn't yield. - -"No keys," he said. - -"Okay then, stand back." Muscles took six steps away from the door. -Then, with a bull-like charge, he hurtled his powerful body against it. -The door sprang from its hinges, fell flat on the ground outside, with -Muscles sprawling on top of it. - -It took only seconds to reach the stone wall. The Ancient One was helped -over. Biff turned as he crossed the wall. One end of the house was -ablaze. Figures could be seen running frantically around, casting weird, -dancing shadows. - -As Biff watched, he saw four men leave the light of the blaze and come -on a run to the place in the wall they had just crossed. - -"Hurry," Biff shouted. "They're after us." - - - - - CHAPTER XXII - Hong Kong and Points East - - -The party moved swiftly through the night. The grandson never hesitated. -He knew every bend and turn in the path. Suddenly he stopped. - -"We must rest a few minutes," he said. "Honorable grandfather is old. He -cannot stand this pace." - -"But we've got to keep going," Biff insisted. "I saw four men leave the -fire and come after us." - -"Fear not, my friend. I think I know who they are. But stay here, I'll -go back down the path and make certain," the "cook" said. - -The grandson vanished in the night. Biff felt sure that any moment the -party would be jumped by pursuing guards. Then he heard voices. The -grandson came back, followed by four men. - -"My brothers and cousins," the grandson said. "They are more grandsons -of the Old Lord. One of them is brother to your friend Ling Tang." - -Muscles stepped into the group. "Sure, I know these guys. They're okay. -These are real members of the House of Kwang. I made that double-crosser -Chan Li take me to them. We worked out the whole escape. This fellow," -Muscles pointed to the grandson-servant, "he started the whole thing. -Set the kitchen on fire. Then he grabbed the keys, and led me to your -room. The others stayed back to watch the guards. Held some of them back -all right. Must have been more than twenty on duty." - -"We can go on now," the grandson said quietly. "The Ancient One has -rested." - -Two grandsons came to the side of the old man. Each placed a supporting -arm around his waist. The party continued on its way. - -Except for short, regular rest periods, they kept going all night. As -dawn broke, the party stopped for a lengthier rest. All were near -exhaustion from the excitement and the steady pace they had kept up. The -Old One slept like a baby, held in the arms of one of his grandsons. - -They rested most of the morning. It was far safer to travel at night. On -the second day, as they reached a safer distance from Jaraminka, they -continued toward the plateau where Jack Hudson was to pick them up. In -turn, the grandsons went ahead to make certain no one was lying in wait -for them. - -"Biff, are we anywhere near the spot where you saw all that -construction?" Uncle Charlie asked. - -"We should be," Biff replied. "We should be nearing the valley soon. -What do you think, Chuba? And you, Muscles?" - -"Chuba think we reach it right over next hill." - -"I'll trust Chuba's judgment," Muscles chimed in. - -Chuba was right. The valley was over the next hill. They had reached it -at a point below where it rose steeply to the metal fence. - -"The rest of you wait here," Charles Keene ordered. "I'll make a quick -trip for a fast look-see." - -"And _I'm_ with you," Biff said quickly. His uncle gave him a look, -hesitated for a moment, but apparently decided not to protest. - -"But Charlie--" Muscles started to say. - -"No buts about it. Come on, Biff." - -Uncle and nephew climbed the slope. Biff found the opening in the fence. -They crawled underneath and reached the rim of the huge amphitheater. -Uncle Charlie stared down at the activity for minutes. He took in every -detail, storing the information in his mind. A nodded signal told Biff -they were going back. - -Once down on the floor of the valley, Biff asked his uncle what he -thought the construction was. - -"I'm almost certain, Biff, that they're building a rocket launching -site." - -"Like Cape Canaveral?" - -His uncle nodded his head. "I was at Canaveral at its beginning. Saw the -place grow. That work back up there is much the same type of -construction. Still in its earliest stages, somewhat crude. Be a long -time before they can try a moon shot, or any other kind." - -"Is knowing about this important?" - -"Important. You just bet it is. News of this development is vital. It's -the biggest, most important information Uncle Sam has had out of China -in years. You really found something, Biff." - -Shortly after noon of the second day since their escape, the party -reached the plateau where Muscles had been landed by Jack Hudson. - -"This is it," Muscles said. "If Jack gets my signal, we'll be away and -winging by dark. Here, Chuba, take the end of this wire and scamper up -that tree. Attach it to the highest limb you can reach." - -The antenna was connected to the portable transmitter. The tree's height -increased the distance of transmission possible. Ground transmission -would have limited the signal. - -"All is okay, Muscles," Chuba called down. Muscles picked up the hand -mike. He snapped on a button. A slight hum could be heard. - -Muscles turned to the anxiously waiting group. "Let's hope I get -through. I can't repeat my signal more than once. It may be picked up by -the enemy." He grinned at them. "Well, here goes." Muscles held the mike -close to his mouth. "There's gold in these hyar hills...." He waited ten -seconds. "Repeating.... There's gold in these hyar hills." - -[Illustration: _The plane winged in on the prayers of the group_] - -He snapped off the transmitter. "That was our pre-arranged signal. It -tells Jack Hudson that I've found you and that we're all set to come -out. If he got my signal, he's on his way to the plane right now, I -hope, I hope, I hope. It's been on the runway, warmed up around the -clock, ever since he got back." - -"Well, we'll know in about two hours," Uncle Charlie said. - -Jack did get the signal. Almost exactly two hours after Muscles' signal, -the faint hum of a plane was heard. It grew louder, and then came into -sight. It winged in on the prayers of the whole group, the most welcome -sight Biff had ever seen. - -Farewells were short. The moment the plane touched down, the Ancient One -was put aboard. The others followed fast. - -The last Biff saw of the Ancient One's grandsons was a picture he would -keep in his heart and mind forever. The five grandsons stood in a line, -facing in the direction of the departing plane. All were bowing deeply -to show their gratitude. - -No one really relaxed until the plane crossed the border, but they -reached Unhao with no trouble. Jack Hudson taxied the plane to a neat -stop and whistled in relief, "Whew-uw!" Then briskly he turned to the -group. "We're going to refuel and take right off again," he announced. - -"What's the hurry, Jack?" Charlie asked. "How's about letting me have a -bath?" - -"Man, do you know how hot you and Biff have become since you went -inside? There have been spies all over the camp. You and Biff aren't -even to get out of this plane. Biff's things and yours are all packed. -I've got 'em in the luggage compartment. Soon as this crate is refueled, -it's off for Hong Kong. You can dunk the body there." - -"But what about you, Jack?" - -"Oh, they don't want me. It's you two got the information they want to -keep from getting out. I don't know what you know, and I don't want to. -They don't know I've crossed into the big 'C.'" - -Biff looked at Chuba. Unashamed tears filled the native boy's eyes. Biff -choked up. "Don't worry, Chuba, we'll meet again," he said, and meant -it. - -Muscles ruffled Chuba's dark hair and said, "Chum, next year you and I -go Stateside, and we'll visit this character." Muscles gave Biff an -affectionate punch on the chin. "See you soon," he said, as he and Chuba -left the plane. - -They made Hong Kong safely. Biff and his uncle found a U.S. military -policeman, who took them to the consulate. There they reported their -discovery to an amazed official. - -"You have performed a great service for your country," the embassy -official said solemnly, and added with a faint smile, "although you -should have your passports taken away for such a foolhardy venture." - -"I know you're right, sir," Charles Keene said, "but I would like to ask -a favor of you. Can you get us out of Hong Kong?" - -"So fast it will make your head swim. Diplomatically speaking, we don't -want you around here. There's a jet bomber taking off for Honolulu in an -hour. You'll be on it. From there, you're on your own." - -Two hours later, Biff and his uncle were winging over the blue Pacific, -homeward bound--and sound asleep. - - - _A Biff Brewster Mystery Adventure_ - - MYSTERY OF THE CHINESE RING - - By ANDY ADAMS - -Burma! Biff Brewster can hardly believe he'll soon be flying to Burma to -visit his Uncle Charlie. Not even when a green jade ring comes hurtling -through his bedroom window is he fully aware of the excitement and -danger awaiting him. - -Is the ring a good-luck charm or a bad omen? Biff suspects that Uncle -Charlie's sudden departure from Cape Canaveral to Burma might well have -international implications, and that the ring is a warning. - -But even with a warning, Biff is still a boy alone in a strange country. -As he disembarks at Rangoon, the young adventurer walks straight into an -attempted kidnaping. Using his wits, Biff escapes from his captors only -to learn that his uncle is somewhere in the heart of Red China, perhaps -in serious trouble. - -Horrified at the news, Biff persuades Chuba, a Burmese boy, to lead him -through the jungle swamplands and across the Chinese border. Once in -forbidden enemy territory, Biff uncovers the strange meaning of the jade -ring, learns of the secret mission which has brought his uncle to Red -China, and discovers a startling project of vital importance to the -United States. - -Join Biff Brewster in more thrilling, world-wide adventure stories, now -available at your local booksellers. - - - _NEW!_ BIFF BREWSTER - Mystery Adventures - - By ANDY ADAMS - - [Illustration: Biff Brewster] - -Biff Brewster, sixteen, is a tall, strongly built blond youth who lives -in Indianapolis, Indiana, with his parents and the eleven-year-old -twins, Ted and Monica. Because his mother and father believe that travel -is as important to education as formal schooling, Biff is encouraged to -travel to various countries during the vacation months. His experiences -in these lands, and the young people he meets there, form the basis of a -new series for adventure-loving readers. In every journey there is a -strong element of mystery, usually a direct result of conditions -peculiar to the region in which he is traveling. Thus, in addition to -adventure, these books impart carefully researched information about -foreign countries. - -_Start reading one today_-- - - (1) BRAZILIAN GOLD MINE MYSTERY - (2) MYSTERY OF THE CHINESE RING - (3) HAWAIIAN SEA HUNT MYSTERY - (4) MYSTERY OF THE MEXICAN TREASURE - (5) AFRICAN IVORY MYSTERY - (6) ALASKA GHOST GLACIER MYSTERY - - - GROSSET & DUNLAP, Inc. Publisher - New York 10, N. Y. - - [Illustration: Endpapers] - - - - - Transcriber's Notes - - ---Copyright notice provided as in the original--this e-text is public - domain in the country of publication. - ---Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard spellings and - dialect unchanged. - ---In the text versions, delimited italics text in _underscores_ (the - HTML version reproduces the font form of the printed book.) - - - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Mystery of the Chinese Ring, by Andy Adams - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MYSTERY OF THE CHINESE RING *** - -***** This file should be named 51608.txt or 51608.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/1/6/0/51608/ - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Dave Morgan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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