The Wusun stared at him. There was a ring of conviction in Gray's words. He recalled Delabar's words that the talisman of the Wusun had earned the captive race the hatred of the Buddhists. He saw now how this was. Fate--or what the soldier esteemed luck--had put an instrument into his hand. For the defense of the girl. He must make full use of it. He pointed to the jade cross. "The Kha Rakcha and I are of the same blood as the Wusun. We came in peace to seek you. The Kha Rakcha claims your protection. Will you not grant it? Thus, I have spoken." Bassalor Danek folded his lean arms, tiny wrinkles puckering about his aged eyes. "I hear," he said. "The tale of the Eyes-of-Long-Sight is a true tale. But this thing is another tale. Have you a token to show, so that we may know that it, also, is true?" In the back of Gray's mind was memory of a token. Something that Mary had mentioned. In his anxiety, he could not recall it. Thus did Gray miss a golden opportunity. If he had been alone, his natural quickness of thought would have found an answer to the Gur-Khan's question. With the life of the girl he loved at stake, he hesitated. It was vitally important that Bassalor Danek should believe what Gray had said about the cross. Believing, he would aid them, for he reverenced the cross. Doubting, they would be exposed to the wiles of Wu Fang Chien. "If I spoke the truth in one thing, O Gur-Khan," he parried, "would I speak lies concerning another?" "The two things are not the same," put in Timur, logically. "The talisman is precious--like to the gold in the sword-hilt of Gela. Yet what is it to you?" "It is the sign of our faith. It is the talisman of Christianity." "I know not the word." "You know the name of the ancient khan of the Wusun--Awang Khan?" Gray hazarded a bold stroke, on his knowledge of the legend of Prester John of Asia. Timur considered. "The name is not in our speech," he announced. Bassalor Danek looked up sagely. "You speak of faith, O One-Who-Kills-Swiftly. Is that a word of a priesthood?" "Yes." "Then," said Bassalor Danek gravely, "it is clear that your talisman is not like to this. Nay, for the only priesthood is that of the false Buddhists." "Our faith is different from theirs--even as a grain of sand is different from a drop of clear water." The Gur-Khan's hand swept in a wide circle. "Nay. What can we see from Sungan save the grains of sand? Everywhere, beyond, is the Buddhist priesthood. We have seen this thing. It is true." He lifted his head proudly. "Behold, youth, here is the talisman of a warrior. From chieftain to chieftain, it has been handed down. It is the token of a chieftain. Of one who safeguards his people. None can wear it but myself, or another of royal blood who has fought for his people." For the first time he showed Gray a smaller cross, fashioned from gold which hung from a chain of the same metal across his chest under the cloak.