. Sooner than he
had dared hope, Charley and Felicia appeared. Leaving Felicia to watch
the burros, Roger led Charley into the living tent and gave the details
of his predicament. Charley laughed quietly but immoderately and Roger
joined her.

"How many crazy people have you in the desert?" he asked, finally.

"Uncle Otto is the only one I've known in my four years here. You're
having wonderful luck. And the old boy has always pretended he's a
bachelor."

"Perhaps he'll shoot her on sight," said Roger in a hopeful voice.

"Oh, what an awful thing to say!" protested Charley.

"Wait till you see the dame," returned Roger. "Charley, I can't have her
staying the night here and I don't dare to send her up to your place.
She might run amuck."

"Pshaw, no, she won't! I'll take care of her. Show me the lady."

Roger led the way to the cook tent. Mrs. von Minden sat on a bench, her
back against a tent pole, her eyes closed. She opened them, however,
when Roger spoke her name and acknowledged the introduction to Charley
and Felicia with considerable air. She refused Charley's offer of
hospitality, with utter finality.

"Here my Yogis directed me, and here I must stay until my husband comes.
I will be no burden, after my tent is set up, if the young man will cook
for me. And my gray hairs are sufficient chaperone."

"But I will not cook for you," said Roger very firmly. "My partner and I
find it hard enough work cooking for ourselves. We are under great
nervous and physical strain, Mrs. von Minden, and I must tell you
frankly, it will be extremely inconvenient to have you here. This rough
camp is no place for a woman."

"No place for a woman, eh?" repeated Mrs. von Minden. "Why it's paradise
compared to some of the places Otto von Minden has kept me in." She rose
suddenly and began to pace the sandy floor, a majestic figure in spite
of her grotesqueness. "What was I when he found me, an unsophisticated
girl of twenty, living in my quiet New Hampshire home. He promised me
everything--travel, court life, the emperor's favor. What does he give
me but desert camps? Camps where he and I were the only human beings
within a thousand miles. Camps where I worked like any squaw--where a
bit of tent and a blanket made our entire equipment. Five years ago he
left me. I've taught school long enough to save money for an outfit and
now I shall not leave till I have found him and given him the message of
the Yogis."

"But, Mr. von M