"I started the trouble at the mines," he bragged. "I wanted to acquire the Rajah's ruby as a passport to bring me to this hidden citadel, so I could either make my own terms with the Chonsi Lama, or else notify certain foreign factions just where they could find him. Brewster beat me here, but when I learned his son was bringing the ruby, I decided to come along with him."
With a mocking look toward Biff, Kron swept his hand around his head, turban fashion, then downward from his chin to indicate a beard.
"Remember that Sikh in the bus?" he demanded. "The one with the false beard? I was that Sikh. That's how I picked up your trail. I saw Chandra buy the tickets, and I purposely crossed your path later.
"For other reasons, I had helped stir the Kali cult into making trouble, but I didn't know they were hot after you. So from then on, I looked out for you, knowing that as Barma Shah, your father's friend and contact, you would bring me here. I saved your life during the tiger hunt, and again, when the bear was after you. I tried to get rid of your uncle on the bridge, because I didn't want him in the way. So I had Hurdu cut the cable."
Kron glanced at Hurdu, who shrugged apologetically.
"Hurdu was slow that time," declared Kron, "but he did a good job faking Yeti tracks to scare Tikse and his crew clear back to Leh, so we could hire the Changpas, who were waiting in the valley where the trails met."
It seemed that Bela Kron, the master spy, had called every possible turn. But he had a still bigger trick to play.
"My men are stationed in the courtyard below," he declared. "I shall have Hurdu send two of his men down and bring the rest up." He waved toward the door, and Hurdu promptly started the two men on their way. "Then we shall leave, taking you with us." Kron approached the Chonsi Lama as he spoke. "It will take all the wealth of this hidden city to make the first payment on your ransom."
Calmly, the youthful Lama studied Kron, then smiled as though ready to accept whatever fate decreed. Kron responded with a glare, then swung to view the others in the same ugly fashion.
"I'll soon decide what to do with the rest of you," Kron began. "In fact—" he paused as a heavy rap sounded on the golden door—"I'll decide right now, because Hurdu's men are back. Let them in, Hurdu." Hurdu turned and opened the door. As he did, he came flying back as though a tornado had hit him. Hurdu's gun scaled from his hand as he landed hard and flat. The one man still with Hurdu was jumping in to help him, only to be sprawled in the same efficient fashion.