the spirit. A conqueror and
leader will appear stronger and more stalwart than Jenghiz Khan and
Ugadai. He will be more clever and more merciful than Sultan Baber
and he will keep power in his hands until the happy day when, from his
subterranean capital, shall emerge the King of the World. Why, why shall
I not be in the first ranks of the warriors of Buddhism? Why has Karma
decided so? But so it must be! And Russia must first wash herself from
the insult of revolution, purifying herself with blood and death; and
all people accepting Communism must perish with their families in order
that all their offspring may be rooted out!"

The Baron raised his hand above his head and shook it, as though he were
giving his orders and bequests to some invisible person.

Day was dawning.

"My time has come!" said the General. "In a little while I shall leave
Urga."

He quickly and firmly shook hands with us and said:

"Good-bye for all time! I shall die a horrible death but the world has
never seen such a terror and such a sea of blood as it shall now
see. . . ."

The door of the yurta slammed shut and he was gone. I never saw him
again.

"I must go also, for I am likewise leaving Urga today."

"I know it," answered the Prince, "the Baron has left you with me for
some purpose. I will give you a fourth companion, the Mongol Minister of
War. You will accompany him to your yurta. It is necessary for you. . .
."

Djam Bolon pronounced this last with an accent on every word. I did
not question him about it, as I was accustomed to the mystery of this
country of the mysteries of good and evil spirits.

CHAPTER XXXIX

"THE MAN WITH A HEAD LIKE A SADDLE"

After drinking tea at Djam Bolon's yurta I rode back to my quarters and
packed my few belongings. The Lama Turgut was already there.

"The Minister of War will travel with us," he whispered. "It is
necessary."

"All right," I answered, and rode off to Olufsen to summon him. But
Olufsen unexpectedly announced that he was forced to spend some few
days more in Urga--a fatal decision for him, for a month later he was
reported killed by Sepailoff who remained as Commandant of the city
after Baron Ungern's departure. The War Minister, a stout, young Mongol,
joined our caravan. When we had gone about six miles from the city, we
saw an automobile coming up behind us. The Lama shrunk up inside his
coat and looked at me with fear. I felt the now familiar atmosphere of
danger an