won applause from a _Don Quixote_.

The sun was settling upon the golden roof of the range, sending out
monstrous blue shadows across the valley.

Mountain darkness soon enveloped the world. A dazzling star appeared
with the brilliant suddenness of a coast-light. The wind was winy with
the flavor of high snows.

And suddenly the horse stumbled. Peter jerked on the reins. The horse
whinnied, dancing awkwardly on three legs.

Peter dismounted. A foreleg was crippled. He groaned. Fate, long his
ally, was laughing at him. The chase was ended.

Suddenly hoofs thudded on the firm dirt; a shadow darted by, nearly
colliding with him. There was a trampling. A lantern frame clicked,
and a lance of yellow light rippled upon his face, broadened.

He glared into the anxious brown eyes of Kahn Meng.

CHAPTER XIII

"You are in time!" He gripped Peter by the shoulder.

"Have you stopped them?" gasped Peter.

Kahn Meng indulged in a bitter laugh. "Only the wind could overtake
them." He shrugged. "They came--they broke through our lines--and
again they broke through! If they had stopped for battle," he added
grimly, "there would have been a different tale to tell."

"And they have taken her to Len Yang?" Peter suddenly recalled that
Kahn Meng probably knew nothing of Eileen.

"The doctor? Yes," assented Kahn Meng sadly. "One of my men was in
Ching-Fu when the troop drove through. He was looking out for you. He
arrived only a few moments ago. By Buddha, how you have traveled!"

"I intend to go on."

Kahn Meng sighed. "It means only death."

"I am willing."

"But you cannot catch them with any horse. You would be killed. We
can arrive in Len Yang sooner," Kahn Meng pleaded. "Everything is
ready."

"I'll follow," Peter stated grimly, "on the condition that you answer
two questions. What is your relation to the man at Len Yang----"

"On my word of honor," Kahn Meng interrupted him with emotion, "I am a
friend. Won't that suffice until the morning? If I were an enemy, if
I were on his side----"

"I realize that," Peter stopped him. "Very well. I'll wait. My other
question is this: Why does that beast search the world for beautiful
women--and consign them to the mines?"

Kahn Meng was silent. Reluctantly Peter was allowing himself to be led
through the darkness over broken ground. A pale dot of light emerged
from the night.

"I do not know," said Kahn Meng finally. "It