BLINDMAN'S-BUFF
When the little "Muang-Fang" next day swung southward from the fairy temple of Pak-nam, Scarlett heaved his shoulders as though to let slip all the burdens of a troubled kingdom. He was off, the Holborows were on board, and Chao Phya, by sufferance of an easy captain, lay in his lower bunk. Owen was about to lock him in, when he noticed that the cabin-boys had mixed their luggage. Among his bags lay an unfamiliar bundle of sticks, from which two had slipped out on the floor. One was the big black tamarind that the guide had carried in the ruins. As Scarlett lifted it, the knob of kerbau horn turned slightly.
"Idiot! blockhead!" he muttered, twisting and tugging. Something clicked, gave way,—and there in his hand, sliding from the polished wood, shone a bright sword-blade.
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