“I do not like it,” Mohammed said dubiously. “Better alone. But it can be done. If the man wishes, anyone can listen.” “Then we can all go in!” said Gus, and Teddy fancied his voice expressed relief. “I don’t care who hears my future. The past--well, let ’er come. Reckon I can stand that, too.” “If you will go first--” and Mohammed made a motion with his slim, nervous hand. “I shall follow.” Gus entered, and Mohammed walked slowly behind him. Teddy asked him if it was all right to leave the donkey. “Stamboul will stand for days,” the little man declared solemnly. “He has the true gift of patience. I have taught him.” Once within the bunkhouse, he looked about him eagerly. “You sleep here?” “Sure do,” Nick replied. “All of us. Good, too. Why?” “Nothing,” and Mohammed sighed. “Under these so blue skys, I myself would live. No roof would cover me. Still--” “Not in the winter you wouldn’t,” Gus chuckled. “Gets thirty below out here.” Mohammed nodded absently. It is doubtful if he understood. “I use the table, yes?” he asked, after a moment. “Sure. Go to it,” Roy agreed. “Here’s a chair.” He pulled one up. “Take a seat.” “Take a--ah, yes. Now young man,” he looked at Gus. “If you will be across from me--” Gus, a trifle nervously, seated himself on the other side of the table. “Not goin’ to hypnotize, are you?” he asked, with an attempt at humor. “We had a feller do that once. He didn’t make out so well.” “I do not do thus,” Mohammed answered seriously. “That is black magic. I am afraid for that. Now you will give me your hand, please?” Gus forced a smile, and stretched out his hand limply. Mohammed grasped it. “Tight, please. That is it. Now for a moment, quiet. You will make a wish. When you have made it, say ‘yes’.” CHAPTER XV MYSTERIOUS DANGER There was a moment’s silence, while Gus essayed a grin which failed to live up to his expectations. The brown face across the table was too much in earnest, too sincere, to allow for any levity. Then, in a low voice, Gus said: “Yes.” “Very well. It is not for me to say what your wish is. You know that. Later, I shall say if it will occur. Now, please look at me.” Gus stared across the table like a bird looking into the eyes of a cat. Suddenly he flushed, and shifted his eyes. The brown man smiled. “It is not so hard, is it?” “Huh? Oh, you got that, hey? I was afraid--” “You were afraid I was trying to hold your eyes, and you moved them to find out. Is that not so?” “That’s right,” Gus admitted uneasily. “He’s clever!” Roy whispered to Teddy, in admiration. “Bet he knows a lot about psychology.” If Mohammed heard him, he made no sign. “There are many things I see for you,” he said slowly, “many, many things. Some good, some bad. First I shall tell you of what you have been. You were born in a very hot country, no?” “Uh-huh. On the border,” Gus admitted laconically.