The soldier, apparently tired of waiting, had risen and drawn his weapon. He bent over the Kirghiz who remained kneeling. The sight quickened Gray's pulse--in spite of the danger he knew he ran from interfering with the Chinese authorities. "Quick," he added. His companion whispered to the soldier who glanced at the American in surprise and hesitated. Gray counted out thirteen _taels_--about ten dollars--and added five more. "I have talked with Wu Fang Chien," he explained, "and I will buy this man's life. If the value of the horse is paid, the crime will be no more." The blue-coated Manchu said something, evidently an objection. "He says," interpreted the Chinaman, who was eyeing the money greedily, "that thirteen _taels_ will not wipe out the insult to the judge." "Five more will," Gray responded. "He can keep them if he likes. And here's a _tael_ for you." The volunteer interpreter clasped the coin in a claw-like hand. Gray thrust the rest of the money upon the hesitating executioner, and seized Mirai Khan by the arm. Nodding to the Kirghiz, he led him through the crowd, which was muttering uneasily. He turned down an alley. "Can you get out of Liangchowfu without being seen?" the American asked his new purchase. He was more confident now of the tribal speech. Mirai Khan understood. Later, Gray came to know that the man was very keen witted. Also, he had a polyglot tongue. "Aye, Excellency." Mirai Khan fell on his knees and pressed his forehead to his rescuer's shoes. "There is a hole in the western wall behind the temple where the caravan men water their oxen and camels." "Go, then, and quickly." "I will get me a horse," promised Mirai Khan, "and the Chinese pigs will not see me go." Gray thought to himself that Mirai Khan might be more of a horse thief than he professed to be. "The Excellency saved my life," muttered the Kirghiz, glancing around craftily. "It was written that I should die this day, and he kept me from the sight of the angel of death. But thirteen _taels_ is a great deal of wealth. It would be well if I found my gun, and slew the soldier. Then the Excellency would have his thirteen _taels_ again. Where is he to be found?" "At the inn by the western wall. But never mind the Manchu. Save your own skin." Gray strode off down the alley, for men were coming after them. In the rear of an unsavory hut, the Kirghiz plucked his sleeve. "Aye, it shall so be, Excellency," he whispered. "Has the honorable master any tobacco?" Impatiently Gray sifted some tobacco from his pouch into the hunter's scarred hand. Mirai Khan then asked for matches. "I will not forget," he said importantly. "You will see Mirai Khan again. I swear it. And I will tell you something. Wu Fang Chien is in Liangchowfu." With that the man shambled off down an alley, looking for all the world like a shaggy dog with unusually long legs. Gray stared after him with a smile. Then he turned back toward the inn.