Long Shadow spoke up. "Of course you have testing equipment?"
"At our camp near Korse Lenken," Zircon assured him.
"You'll find what you expect," the Eurasian said.
"Thank you. And now, we'll also thank you to lead us out of here."
"No," Long Shadow said.
"You're beaten," Zircon said reasonably. "Why not admit it and co-operate? We've nothing against you even if there were law in Tibet. See us to the outside and open the barred gate and you're at liberty to go."
Rick started to protest, then he realized Zircon was right. Law in this part of the world was the law of the rifle. There was nothing they could do to Long Shadow or Ko.
Long Shadow considered. "I suppose you're right. My little business deal is over, at least for the time being." He raised his voice and yelled in Tibetan.
The boys grabbed up their rifles as Tibetan heads showed from the caves, black eyes blinking in fear.
"They will carry me and Ko," Long Shadow said calmly. "Now let us be on our way." He smiled. "I must admit I have a selfish interest in all this worry about getting to the outside. This ankle is beginning to hurt, and I won't mind having one of the lamas with medical skill take a look at it."