<h2 id="c17"><span class="small">CHAPTER XVII</span> <br/>A Red Hot Lead</h2>
<p>Night overtook Biff, Chuba, and Muscles before
they reached Jaraminka. All were tired. The going in
the dark was rough. But Biff was determined to reach
the town before they halted.</p>
<p>“Another hour,” Biff said, “and if we haven’t gotten
there, we’ll hole in for the night.”</p>
<p>“Okay by me,” Muscles answered.</p>
<p>Chuba nodded his head.</p>
<p>They didn’t have to go for the full hour. Following
a narrow path, no more than a rough goat trail, they
rounded the side of a high pointed hill. From far below
their dangerous perch on the hillside, they saw
lights. Hundreds of lights, flickering like candles in a
breeze. It was a beautiful sight to come upon suddenly
in the night.</p>
<p>“Jaraminka,” Biff said, and looked at Chuba for
confirmation.</p>
<p>“You right, Biff. That Jaraminka.”</p>
<div class="pagenum" id="Page_136">136</div>
<p>“It’s a lot bigger place than I thought it would be,”
Muscles put in.</p>
<p>“It’s in center of big, wide valley. Much good farm
lands. Many rich peoples once live here. Is nice in
summer. Not too hot.”</p>
<p>“How about the House of Kwang, Chuba? They
have any properties around Jaraminka?”</p>
<p>“Oh yes, Biff, always in summer time Old Lord and
family go to Jaraminka. Old Lord have big place here.
His big house still here, but Old Lord not own it any
more.”</p>
<p>“Chinese Commies run him out?” Muscles asked.</p>
<p>“You right, Muscles. They take over. Now this
place big, important outpost for Chinese Army.”</p>
<p>Why would the Chinese Army have a large installation
in such a wild, remote section of their big, sprawling
country? The answer came to Biff immediately.
That big, fenced-in construction job was not more
than ten miles away. That had to be the reason. Just
what was being built, though, still puzzled the boy.</p>
<p>“We’ll bed down here for the night,” Biff said, “and
go into the town early in the morning.”</p>
<p>“Real early, Biff,” Chuba said. “Soon as sun start
rising, farmers go into town to market place. Bring
things from farm to sell. We go in with them. People
think we farmers, too.”</p>
<p>“How about me?” Muscles asked. “I don’t look
like a Chinese farmer.”</p>
<div class="pagenum" id="Page_137">137</div>
<p>Biff laughed. “Anything but.”</p>
<p>“You have to stay here. Guard our camp. We go
into town, find out things.”</p>
<p>“Okay by me. But say—be sure and leave me my
pal.”</p>
<p>“Your pal?” Biff asked.</p>
<p>“Yeah. My pal of protection—the spirit box.”</p>
<p>They all laughed, turned in and slept.</p>
<p>Early in the gray of morning, Biff and Chuba were
on the outskirts of the village. A stream of solemn-faced
farmers passed through the city’s gate. Chuba
and Biff attached themselves to the parade and entered
unnoticed.</p>
<p>Biff had reached a decision. If any member of the
House of Kwang could be located, he felt now would
be the time to use the green ring. Keeping his voice
low, he spoke to Chuba.</p>
<p>“Don’t ask any more questions about Uncle Charlie.
But find out, if you can, if there are any members of
the Kwang family around here.”</p>
<p>“I catch, Biff. If any Kwangs around, Chuba will locate
them.”</p>
<div class="pagenum" id="Page_138">138</div>
<p>The boys wandered through the sprawling city.
They made for the market place, always the center of
the most activity. Going from stall to stall, Chuba
made his inquiries. He told the persons he questioned
that once he and his father had served the House of
Kwang. Now, he said, in a sad, tearful voice, he was
only a beggar boy. If he could only find one of the
young lords perhaps the lord would remember his father,
and give Chuba a helping hand.</p>
<p>At mid-morning, Chuba hit pay dirt. He engaged in
a long conversation with a young, slender Chinese.
This Chinese was different from the broad-faced
farmers, the stall-keepers, the uniformed soldiers who
thronged the market place. His facial features were
fine, his clothing cleaner and richer than that of those
surrounding him.</p>
<p>Biff watched Chuba anxiously. He saw his friend
bob his head up and down in agreement, then the two
parted.</p>
<p>Chuba rejoined Biff, motioned to him to follow,
and Chuba led the way back to the gates of the city.
Once outside, Chuba told Biff of his conversation.</p>
<p>“This man I talk to. His name Chan Li. Once he
young lord of house like House of Kwang. Not so
big. Not so rich. But House of Li and House of
Kwang good friends. House of Li taken over just
like House of Kwang. He hate government bosses.”</p>
<p>Biff felt himself becoming excited. This could be the
lead they had been searching for.</p>
<p>“Did you ask him if any members of the House of
Kwang were still in Jaraminka?”</p>
<p>“Chuba did. Chan Li say yes. He say he know many
things. But he say he must be very careful. Cannot
take us to where Kwang family in hide-out unless we
have proof we friends, not enemies, or police spies.”</p>
<div class="pagenum" id="Page_139">139</div>
<p>Biff’s hand went inside his cloak. He felt for the
ring. This was it. The ring would bring the good fortune
it promised.</p>
<p>“What’s our next move?”</p>
<p>“We go back to where Muscles hiding. Then,
when sun stands straight up in sky over our heads, we
meet with Chan Li.”</p>
<p>“Where? Back in the city?”</p>
<p>“Oh, no. Too much risky. Remember, on our way
down to city, we come to little brook fed by spring?”</p>
<p>Biff nodded his head.</p>
<p>“We meet there. Come, we tell Muscles.”</p>
<p>Back with Muscles, the three held a council. Their
plans depended on what they would learn from Chan
Li. But how could Muscles be kept informed? It
wouldn’t do for him to attend the meeting.</p>
<p>“Maybe I could be there but not be seen,” Muscles
said. “Any cover near the spring where I could hide?
Maybe I could overhear what this Li character has to
offer.”</p>
<p>“I think so, Muscles. Come, we go down now and
see. Not too long before sun stand straight up.”</p>
<p>Near the spring, they found a heavy thicket where
Muscles could conceal himself.</p>
<p>“When you’re translating for Biff, raise your voice
slightly, Chuba. Not loud enough to cause suspicion,
but loud enough for me to hear.”</p>
<p>“Let’s have a dry run of that,” Biff suggested.</p>
<div class="pagenum" id="Page_140">140</div>
<p>Muscles concealed himself in the thicket. Chuba
talked to Biff in a tone slightly louder than normal.</p>
<p>“You hear all right, Muscles?” Biff asked.</p>
<p>“You’re coming through loud and clear,” was the
reply.</p>
<p>“How much time before noon?”</p>
<p>“Ten minutes,” Muscles called back.</p>
<p>Chuba spoke to Biff. “You stay here now. I go little
piece down hill, see if I can spot Chan Li coming up.”
Chuba left. Biff remained silent, not wanting to give
Muscles’ position away by talking to him any more.</p>
<p>In a few minutes Chuba returned. His face told Biff
the story.</p>
<p>“He’s coming. Be here real quick.”</p>
<p>“Is he alone?”</p>
<p>“He by himself.”</p>
<p>Good, Biff thought. If Chan Li acted suspiciously,
or tried any funny stuff, Muscles lay in waiting.</p>
<p>Chan Li came into the small clearing around the
spring. He bowed low to Chuba, then repeated the
gesture to Biff.</p>
<p>“He asks who you are, Biff,” Chuba translated.</p>
<p>“Tell him I am a friend of the House of Kwang. I
seek their help.”</p>
<p>Interpreter Chuba spoke swiftly.</p>
<p>“He says he needs proof of this. He must be sure
you are real true friend.”</p>
<div class="pagenum" id="Page_141">141</div>
<p>It was now or never, Biff decided. He reached under
his cloak and took out his key chain. Turning his
back to Chuba and Chan Li, he took the ring off the
chain. Turning, he held it out. “Ask Chan Li if this is
proof enough?”</p>
<p>The slender Chinese stepped forward. He took the
ring from Biff’s hand. He inspected it carefully, then
replaced it in Biff’s hand.</p>
<p>“It is the ring of the Ancient One, the Old Lord of
the House of Kwang,” he said to Chuba. When Chuba
gave this information to Biff, his heart pounded with
excitement.</p>
<p>“Now tell him, Chuba, that we come here to find
my Uncle Charles, or to get any definite information
as to where he is.”</p>
<p>Chuba’s head went up and down. He spoke to Chan
Li. Their conversation went on and on. Biff’s anxiety
grew. Chan Li’s answer was all important.</p>
<p>At long last, much to Biff’s relief, the conversation
ended. It was a solemn-faced Chuba who turned to
Biff. “He has told me many things. Many things we
wanted to know.”</p>
<p>“Well, what are they? What are they?” Biff demanded
impatiently.</p>
<p>“He says Sahib Charles is being hidden from soldiers
by House of Kwang.”</p>
<p>“What!” Biff clapped his hands. He couldn’t contain
his joy. “Tell me more.”</p>
<p>“Chan Li says more, that Sahib Charles hurt self
when plane come down.”</p>
<p>Biff’s joyful feeling vanished. “Badly? Was he hurt
badly?”</p>
<div class="pagenum" id="Page_142">142</div>
<p>“No. Not too bad. But enough to keep him from
traveling. Now he all better. All is arranged for
House of Kwang to help Sahib Charles get back to
Burma.”</p>
<p>“What can we do to help?”</p>
<p>“Chan Li will take us to hide-out place. We get
Sahib Charles, lead him back to—”</p>
<p>Biff held up his hand. “Wait.” Biff felt there was
still need for caution. He didn’t want Chuba to mention
the plan for the plane pickup. He didn’t want him
to reveal Muscles’ presence. There was no way of
knowing whether Chan Li understood English or not.
Until they reached Uncle Charlie, it would be wiser,
Biff felt, to hold back what little ammunition they still
had.</p>
<p>“Ask him where is this hide-out where my uncle
is?”</p>
<p>Chuba turned back to Chan Li. He spoke rapidly.
Chan Li replied, and pointed in a direction north of
Jaraminka.</p>
<p>“Just north of the city. In those foothills you can
see from here.”</p>
<p>“How long will it take us to get there?” Biff was
asking these questions for the benefit of the hidden
Muscles.</p>
<p>“An hour, says Chan Li. Maybe little more. But not
much.”</p>
<p>“And is he ready to take us there now?”</p>
<p>Chuba again nodded assent to the question.</p>
<div class="pagenum" id="Page_143">143</div>
<p>“Tell him, then, that we are ready to go right
now.”</p>
<p>Chuba spoke to Chan Li. The Chinese replied with
a deep bow, and the sweep of one arm, as if to say, “I
lead. You follow.”</p>
<p>As if speaking to himself, but in a clear voice, Biff
said, “An hour there, an hour with Uncle Charlie, and
an hour back—a bit more, perhaps. Four hours at the
most.” Biff stressed the words, “four hours.”</p>
<p>He hoped Muscles would understand. He hoped
Muscles would know that if they weren’t back in
four hours, then something had gone wrong.</p>
<p>With Chan Li in the lead, they headed for the distant
foothills.</p>
<div class="pagenum" id="Page_144">144</div>
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