“We are soldiers.” Gale squared her shoulders. “Soldiers go where they are sent.”
“Ah, yes! But to go into dangerous country unescorted when protection is to be had, that is regrettable.” There was a kind, fatherly quality in the man’s voice that Gale liked.
“The natives can’t be so terrible,” said Jan. “A tribe of them carried our car around a washout for us.”
“Ah, yes. The natives, they will not harm you. I can give you a sign that will take you safely through any native village in these mountains. But the wild beasts, that is different. Only last week a rogue elephant visited a village and tore down the houses. The week before, a child was carried away by a man-eating tiger.”
Gale studied the man’s face. Was he, she wondered, trying to frighten them? She doubted that. Could he be told of their mission? She did not know. Fortunately he was to provide the answers.
“Here is your tea,” he said. “The cakes will be here in a moment. Will you drink tea with me?” They drank in silence.
“Now,” he said. “We are friends. Nothing that I can do for you shall remain undone.”
“Then,” said Gale, “tell us, has a tall, gorgeously dressed woman visited this temple in the last three days?”
“Ah! There you have me!” The monk’s eyes flickered. “This temple is a place of refuge for all. I am not free to tell who comes and who goes. You might remain here for a month and no one would know.” This speech set Gale back on her heels. If she could not ask a simple question and get an answer from this man, what could she expect? They ate their cakes and drank a second cup of tea in silence.
“You must not leave our house in silence.” Their host seemed genuinely disturbed. “Come. Let me tell you a little. I have lived and studied in America. America is my foster-mother. I love her for that, and because she has come to the aid of my first mother, China. Listen?” He held up a hand.