"I see." Gray scrutinized his companions. The same eagerness showed in each face, the craving for discovery which is greater than the lust of the gold prospector. They were hanging on his next words. "Gentlemen, do you realize that three great difficulties are to be met? Money--China--and a knowledge of science. By that I mean my own qualifications. I am an explorer, not a scientist----" At this point Balch, the financier who had not spoken before, leaned forward. "Three excellent points," he nodded. "I can answer them. We can supply you with funds, Captain Gray," he said decisively. "And permission from the Chinese authorities?" "We have passports signed, in blank, for an American hunter and naturalist to journey into the interior of China, to the Gobi Desert." "You will not go alone," explained Van Schaick. "We realize that a scientist must accompany you." "We have the man," continued Balch, "an orientologist--speaks Persian and Turki--knows Central Asia like a book. Professor Arminius Delabar. He'll join you at Frisco." He stood up and held out his hand. "Gray, you're the man we want! I like your talk." He laughed boyishly, being young in heart, in spite of his years. "You're equal to the job--and you can shoot a mountain sheep or a bandit in the head at five hundred yards. Don't deny it--you've done it!" "Maps?" asked Gray dryly. "The best we could get. Chinese and Russian surveys of the Western Gobi," Balch explained briskly. "We want you to start right off. We know that our dearest foes, the British Asiatic Society, have wind of the Wusun. They are fitting out an expedition. It will have the edge on yours because--discounting the fact that the British know the field better--it'll start from India, which is nearer the Gobi." "Then it's got to be a race?" Gray frowned. "A race it is," nodded Balch, "and my money backs you and Delabar. So the sooner you can start the better. Van Schaick will go with you to Frisco and give you details, with maps and passports on the way. We'll pay you the salary of your rank in the army, with a fifty per cent bonus if you get to the Wusun. Now, what's your answer--yes or no?" He glanced at the officer sharply, realizing that if Gray doubted, he would not be the man for the expedition. Gray smiled quizzically. "I came to you to get a job," he said, "and here it is. I need the money. My answer is--yes. I'll do my best to deliver the goods." "Gentlemen," Balch turned to his associates, "I congratulate you. Captain Gray may or may not get to the Wusun. But--unless I'm a worse judge of character than I think--he'll get to the place where the Wusun ought to be. He won't turn back." Their visitor flushed at that. He was still young, being not yet thirty. He shook hands all around and left for his hotel, with Balch and Van Schaick to arrange railroad schedules, and the buying of an outfit.