The locomotive was alreadyspouting steam, the head lanterns blazing when Ruel bounded into the cab.
"Kartauk?" Janeasked.
"Safely ensconced atLanpur Gorge." He grinned. "We rigged a lean-to shelter of sorts forhim on the embankment, but he was still swearing because he has to wait in therain for us. I had to assure him Scotland has no monsoons."
She braced herself against theblast of energy Ruel exuded as he stood smiling at her. After a near sleeplessnight she had told herself she was ready to withstand that magnetism, but itcame as a fresh shock. The rain-wet brown slicker he wore was no more glossythan his tawny-streaked hair, and he glowed with the same brilliant beauty asthe lanterns on the front of the locomotive. She had an almost irresistibleurge to step forward and touch him.
She glanced quickly away fromhim. "Ian arrived a quarter of an hour ago. He's in the maharajah's car.He said he planned on napping in splendor while we labored. Why are youlate?"
"I paid a visit to thepalace and requested an audience with Abdar."
Jane's eyes swung back to him."What?"
He grinned. "And was toldby a servant that His Highness had left this morning to go to Narinth." Heturned to Li Sung, who was sitting in the engineer's seat. "It seems yourmisdirection was successful."
"So it wouldappear," Li Sung said without expression. "But appearances sometimeslie. Who is to know if Abdar did not guess at the deception and is waiting toambush us somewhere along the track?"
"Very true." Ruellooked at the engine controls. "Are you sure you know how to drive thismonster of a locomotive?"
"My father taught me as aboy and I ran supplies up and down the line in Salisbury." He stiffened."Of course Patrick never considered a Chinese good enough to engineer apassenger train. Perhaps you agree and would prefer to try yourself?"
"No, thank you. I'll behappy to labor at your command."
"An unusual attittude fora white." Li Sung smiled faintly. "I feel quite giddy with delight.We Chinese are not unaccustomed to being allowed such power over roundeyes."
"It's time we left."Jane told Ruel, "You can stoke the boiler. I'm going to have to be on thelookout for hazards on the track." She signaled to Li Sung, and a momentlater the locomotive pulled out of the station. "Patrick said the trackswere clear all the way to Narinth when he inspected them yesterday, but thatdoesn't mean something might not have happened in the meantime."
They were forced to stop twicebefore they reached Sikor Gorge, once to clear a fallen tree from the track,the second time to shoo a water buffalo who stood placidly chewing grass halfon, half off the rails.
They slowed as they crossedSikor Gorge, but once over the raging river Li Sung picked up speed and thelocomotive glided smoothly over the tracks.
"Lanpur Gorge is justahead around the bend," Jane said. "Be on the lookout forKartauk."
"In this rain he can seethe train's lights better than we can see him." Ruel moved over to standbeside her at the window. Through the heavy rain he could catch only glimpsesof the yellowish gleam of the Zastu as the train started over Lanpur Bridge."And you can be sure Kartauk is going to be ready to get out of this rainand jump on board as soon as we slow— What's that?"
Jane heard it too and herheart lurched. "Li Sung!"
"I know." Li Sung'svoice was hoarse as he put on more power. "It's only three cars. Thethrust may get us across before—"
The locomotive tilted, groundto a halt, jerked side-wise like a snake switching its tail.
"What the hell is happening?"Ruel asked.
"One of the back cars isoff the tracks," Jane said. She felt as if the blood were freezing in herveins.
"Abdar!" Ruel sworebeneath his breath.
The train jerked again and thecab was suddenly swaying.
"Get her out!" LiSung snapped to Ruel as he applied the brakes. "The cab's off the tracktoo. I think it's going over."
"Christ!" Ruelpicked Jane up and leapt for the side of the track. They hit the bridge withbruising impact and rolled over and over.
The wooden bridge wasvibrating beneath them, and between the ties Jane could glimpse the rushingwater sixty feet below. This couldn't be happening, she thought frantically.Dear God, why?
"Li Sung!" Janescreamed.
She saw Li Sung at the door ofthe cab. An instant later he jumped.
