Part 26 (2/2)

”Now a murrain on all women, black and white!” swore Mahoain, and placed one foot on his stomach

”Speak!” he ordered ”What of Kharvani?”

”Listen, Mahommed Khan!” Ruth Bellairs laid one hand on his sleeve, and tried to draw hientleman, but please remember that you are of a different race! I can not let -no, not even of a Hindu priest! Maybe it's all right and honorable according to your ideas; but, if you did it, I would never be able to look o, or leave him here-I don't care which, but don't harm him! I am quite ready to ride with you, now, if you like I suppose you have horses? But I would rather die than think that a man was put to the torture to save ing hirim old Mohammedan shook his head

”Better die here,” he answered her, ”than on the road! No, memsahib With thirteen blades behind me, I could reach Jundhra, or at least uard, the feat is i-place Let hiain, and his eyes flashed

”Listen, heavenborn! I am no torturer of priests by trade! It is not my life that I would save!”

”I know that, Mahommed Khan! I respect your motive It's the method that I can't tolerate”

The Risaldar drew his arh Priest instantly began to speak to Ruth, whispering to her hurriedly in Hindustanee, but she was too little acquainted with the language to understand him

”And I,” said the Risaldar's half-brother suddenly, ”aotten thee!” exclaiether quickly in their own language, drawing aside andto each other It was plain that the half-brother washi hih Priest could understand a word that either of theave an order of sorunted and left the roo the door noiselessly behind hiain from the inside and drew the bolt

”We have made another plan, heavenborn!” he announced mysteriously

”Then-then-you won't hurt this priest?”

”Not yet,” said the Risaldar ”He may be useful!”

”Won't you unbind him, then? Look! His wrists and ankles are all swollen”

”Let the dog swell!” he grunted

But Ruth stuck to her point and made him loosen the bonds a little

”A man lives and learns!” swore the Risaldar ”Such as he were cast into dungeons in h of life!”

”The tied!” said Ruth

The Risaldar looked out through the ard the red glow on the sky-line

”Ha! Changed, have they!” he , once before!”