Danger at Dahlkari Read Online Free PDF

and we rested our backs against it, skirts spread out. Sally was still gripping the pistol, and she let it rest on her knee, looking completely calm and composed. Grass and vines and thorny shrubs concealed us, the limbs of the tree dipping down to form a tentlike shelter, but we could still see sections of the campsite through rifts. The last rays of sunlight had vanished and pale, milky moonlight bathed the scene. The figures moving about cast long black shadows over the sand. There were fewer men about now. All the corpses had been carried away. Most of the goods had been bundled. Men were leading the horses and camels away. In what seemed a matter of moments the campsite was deserted, the sand smooth, not a single sign of the caravan remaining.
    â€œThat—that noise,” I whispered.
    â€œTry to ignore it, Miss Lauren.”
    Because of the curious acoustics formed by the walls of the boulders, the noise was magnified, echoing into the night loud and clear. It was a crunching, splintering sound, followed by dull thuds, the sound of bodies being broken and hurled into the ground. With bones broken, corpses could be folded up, wouldn’t take up so much room in the grave, and when there were so very many corpses … I tried not to think about it. I tried to ignore it, as Sally had suggested, but it was impossible. When the noises finally ceased, there was the sound of shoveling, then stamping, and then voices talking quietly in the night. Long moments passed and then one voice seemed to chant, with others joining in, and I could make out “Kali,” repeated over and over again, “Kali,” then a sing-song chant. I knew they were performing their ceremony now, celebrating their victory and offering a blessing to the goddess. Coarse brown sugar would be passed around, and each Thug would partake of it, eyes exalted, faces glowing with religious ecstasy.
    â€œIt—it’s hideous,” I said.
    â€œIt’s almost over,” Sally replied. “At the moment I’m far more worried about cobras than Thugs. I do hope one doesn’t decide to venture our way.”
    â€œI—I wish you hadn’t mentioned it.”
    â€œI wish I hadn’t thought about it.”
    There was something almost like humor in her voice, and I admired her for it. Sally was every bit as terrified as I was, but she knew we couldn’t give way to our fear, couldn’t afford to let hysteria overcome us. She was putting on a brave front, and I took courage from her, feeling the terrible panic subsiding a little. For some reason we had been spared, and now we both had to call upon every ounce of courage we possessed. We had to use our intelligence, keep calm, hold back the hysteria that lurked just beneath the surface.
    â€œI longed for adventure,” Sally said, “but I didn’t have anything like this in mind. Right now I’d give anything to be back in that dull, wretched academy, snug in my own attic room, listening to the rain pattering on the roof. Even if I did have to get up at five o’clock in the morning.”
    â€œI know. I feel the same way. I hated that place, but it seems like a paradise now.”
    â€œThey—they’ve stopped chanting. With any luck, they’ll be leaving shortly.”
    â€œThey might leave someone behind,” I said. “We’d best stay here—at least for the rest of the night.”
    â€œMy sentiments exactly. Thank goodness our trunks were sent on ahead. All your beautiful dresses—mine, too. At least they weren’t taken.”
    â€œThat hardly concerns me now.”
    â€œMy red dotted swiss—the one I bought just before we left. Remember? I’d be crushed if it were lost. I paid a fortune for that dress, almost all my savings, but I must say it was worth it. Does wonders for me.”
    â€œHow can you talk about clothes at a time like—”
    â€œI’m trying, Miss Lauren.