His prophecy proved true. The proprietor of the hotel protested that he had known nothing of the matter. Asked why he had not investigated the shot, he declared that he was afraid. Gray gave up his questioning and set about preparing to leave Honanfu. "The sooner we're away from Wu Fang's jurisdiction the better," he observed to Delabar. "No use in making an investigation. It would only delay us. Our baggage came this morning, and you've engaged the muleteers. We'll shake Honanfu." Delabar seemed as anxious as Gray to leave the town. Crowds of Chinese, attracted perhaps by rumor of what had happened in the night, followed them about the streets as Gray energetically assembled his two wagons with the stores, and the men to drive the mules. He made one discovery. In checking up the list of baggage they found that one box was missing. "It's the one that had the rifles and spare ammunition," grunted Gray. "Damn!" He had put the rifle that had been intended for McCann with his own extra piece and ammunition in a separate box. In spite of persistent questioning, the drivers who had brought the wagons to Honanfu denied that they had seen the box. A telegram was sent to the railway terminal. The answer was delayed until late afternoon. No news of the box was forthcoming. "It's no use," declared Delabar moodily. "Remember, you told Wu Fang Chien that our rifles were with the luggage. Probably he has taken the box." "Looks that way," admitted Gray, who was angered at the loss. "Well, there's no help for it. We'll hike, before Wu Fang thinks up something else to do." He gave the word to the muleteers, the wagons creaked forward. He jumped on the tail of the last one, beside Delabar, and Honanfu with its watching crowds faded into the dust, after a turn in the road. From that time forth, Gray kept his rifle in his hand, or slung at his shoulder. While they sat huddled uncomfortably on some stores against the side of the jogging cart--nothing is quite so responsive to the law of gravity as a springless Chinese cart, or so uncomfortable, unless it be the rutted surface of a Chinese imperial highway--both were thinking. Delabar, to himself: "Why is it that an imperial road in China is not one kept in order--in the past--for the emperor, but one that can be put in order, if the emperor announced his intention of passing over it? My associate, the American, who thinks only along straight lines, will never understand the round-about working of the oriental mind. And that will work him evil." Gray, aloud: "Look here, Delabar! We can safely guess now that Wu Fang would like to hinder our journey." "I have already assumed that." "Hm. Think it's because the Wusun actually exist, and he wants to keep us from the Gobi?" Delabar was aroused from his muse.