“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.