"Suppose the men of Wu Fang Chien find me?"
"You'll be safer than here with me."
Delabar stared into the steady eyes of his companion, and his gaze shifted. "I can't go back. I must go with you."
"I've said good-by. Your coolie knows what he's to do. Choose your two mules."
"No. I'll be better now——"
Gray smiled slightly.
"I doubt it. I've been watching you. Closer than you thought. Which mules do you want?"
Delabar flushed, and turned his animal back to the waiting group. He was muttering to himself uncertainly. Gray walked beside him. Once he spoke. "Buddhism, Professor, is a bad thing to think about. As Wu Fang Chien said, it is bad to enter forbidden ground. Well, good luck, Delabar. It's better to part now—than later——"
But Delabar passed out of hearing. He did not look again at Gray, who remained talking to the Kirghiz. Later, Gray regretted that he had not watched Delabar.
The Syrian wasted no time in selecting two animals, and turned back at once. Mirai Khan followed the cavalcade with puckered brows as they passed out of sight among the hillocks. Gray waved his hand once when he thought Delabar looked back. But the man did not turn, humping himself forward over his beast, his head between his shoulders.