"O, Queen," he said, "I was blind. Will you pardon the dog who was blind?" Bassalor Danek had been frowning, somewhat jealously. But as he stared into the woman's open face, his brow cleared. "It is well, Kha Rakcha," he observed slowly. "This is truly the token that witnesses the truth of your coming. None but a woman royal-born can wear such a talisman as this. It is well." He touched the cross curiously, comparing it with his own. Timur bent over his hand, watching. The girl was silent, holding her breath in suspense. The minds of the Wusun were wise in their way, but their wisdom was that of simplicity. "None but a queen may carry this on her breast," they assured each other. "So in very truth this _is_ a woman royal-born." She seized swiftly upon her advantage. "Then you know that I am one who commands." "Aye," they said, each in his tongue, "we were as blind dogs before." "Guard then," she said, her lips trembling, for she felt the strain, "the life of the One-Who-Kills-Swiftly. For he is of my blood." Bassalor Danek pondered, and spoke with grave decision. "We will safeguard him within Sungan. Wu Fang Chien will ask in vain." CHAPTER XXII THE ANSWER Mary laughed a little unsteadily. Surely it was a strange miracle that her gold cross had worked. She did not think it luck. In her woman soul there was no thought of fate. God's care had shielded the life of the man she loved. Timur was speaking. "Bassalor Danek is well content," she heard. "Beforetimes, he was warmed by the sight of your fairness. But now it is verily a thing assured. Gela, the Kha-Khan, son of my son, commander of the _tumani_, has conceived love for you. Bassalor Danek has granted his wish that you may become the wife of his abode and hearth." Hearing, she did not yet understand. "Gela?" "He who took you from the evil priests. Because of the talisman you wear it is fitting that you should be his bride." She looked from one to the other, in sudden discomfort. "Thus will you truly become kin to the Wusun," nodded Timur. "I?" "Bassalor Danek, in his wisdom, has decided." The joy of her brief victory faded swiftly. The reaction weakened her, made this new obstacle disheartening. But she drew strength from a fresh thought. "Take me to the white man!" "Nay--it is not fitting. The bond of Gela's love is upon you." To their bewilderment, the girl laughed. For a brief moment hysteria had claimed her, wearied by the hardships she had undergone. In her sudden stress she clung to the thought that had brought her consolation. She was a woman unnerved. In reality, she was instinctively calling upon the aid of Gray's strength. "Are you still blind?" she begged unevenly, the tears not far from her eyes. "Have you not seen the love of the white man for me? How can Gela take me from him, when I am already bound to him?" Gray had said nothing to her of his love. But she had read in his face what he had not spoken.