H. Bedford-Jones and W. C. Robertson

“ Thoughts arose of some huge store of gems and gold, ancient treasures over which squatted the loathsome spider Esrun. If Severn and Fandi Singh discovered Esrun and the treasure——
“It was the gold of Fafnir that doomed Sigurd,” said Severn moodily.
“Eh?” The Rajput glanced at him curiously, not catching his train of thought. “Well, one can always use gold! If we are lucky, we shall find some fine dromedaries today. When we were here before, the priests kept fine stock in the valley by the lake—none of your shaggy Bactrians, but blooded racers, clipped and limbed like race-horses.” ”

“ Armed and provisioned, they had only Esrun to fear—for in the place to which they went no man but the priests had ever ventured.
Before them the sands lessened. Ere an hour had passed they were riding in a narrow defile enclosed by high rock walls; a winding, forbidding gorge which appeared to lead on interminably. Two hours later they were still following its windings, and according to Fandi Singh they would not sight their objective until nearly noon.
“There are no buildings at the lake, no ruins?” asked Severn.
“None,” returned the Rajput. “It is no place where men would willingly live. ”

“ Well——”
“I have a plan,” said Severn quietly. “We can not stay here indefinitely, waiting for something to happen. We know that Esrun communicates with his followers by telepathy; well, then let us communicate with him by the same means. We must bring him out to a meeting, as I understand the priests always did. In other words, will him here to us!”
“But he will know it is fradulent——”
“I think not. He is some primitive creature like the rest, who has fallen heir to a power greater than his control or knowledge. He will not be able to read our minds. ”