"For the present. I'm going to do my best to outfit at Ansichow and get ahead of you, Sir Lionel." Gray rose. "I suppose I'm not exactly welcome here, after what I've told you----" The Englishman waved his brown hand tolerantly. "I like your frankness, Captain Gray. Pray be seated. We are rivals, not enemies, you know. But"--the zeal of the enthusiast shone from his mild eyes--"I shall never permit you to reach Sungan ahead of me. I have studied the Wusun for years. I persuaded the British Asiatic Society to send me here. It is the crowning venture of my life, sir." The girl looked up proudly. "Indeed, that is true, Captain Gray. My uncle has spent our money on the trip. His reputation is at stake. Because few of the directors of the Asiatic Society believe the Wusun are to be found----" "They are mistaken, Mary," Sir Lionel assured her. "I know that I am right. The fact that Captain Gray was sent here is proof of it. I shall reach Sungan--the first white man to penetrate the forbidden region of the Gobi. The boundary stone has indicated our course, and I will not yield the right of way to Captain Gray, or any one. Any one, I repeat, sir!" He struck the table forcibly and rose, mastering his emotion in a moment. "I pray, sir," he said with the fine courtesy of the English gentleman, "if we are to be rivals, you will not deny us the pleasure of your company while we are at Ansichow. After that, you know, it is each man for himself. Now, I will go to read over my rubbing----" He bowed stiffly and walked into the adjoining tent. Gray found that the girl was watching him curiously. "So Delabar went back," she said musingly. "I wondered why he was not with you when you came to my _yurt_ after Ram Singh----" She colored slightly. Gray noticed how the fading sunlight glinted on her copper hair, and set off the fine lines of her slender figure. A thoroughbred, he thought--like her uncle. "Ram Singh did exactly right," he admitted. "But how----" "Did I expect Delabar?" She hesitated. "Well, I have a confession, too, Captain Gray. I knew all along--or rather suspected--what you were. At Calcutta Sir Lionel received this letter." She felt in her belt and drew out a square of folded paper. This she handed silently to Gray. Captain Gray, an American army officer, and Professor Delabar are on their way to the Gobi. It will be useless for you to attempt the expedition, as they will be there before you. Do not waste your time by going into China. This was the letter. It was written in a neat hand and unsigned. "Did the envelope have a postmark?" he asked. "Yes, San Francisco." He handed it back to her. The writing he recognized as Delabar's. The Syrian, then, had tried to prevent the Hastings from setting out. As he had done his best to keep Gray from reaching the Gobi. Why? CHAPTER XIII THE DESERT