Part 30 (2/2)

”Where did you get this magnificent ruby, girl--it is of great value?”

Barlow queried in amazement.

”Do you remember, Sahib, when Bootea asked for the turban of Hunsa, the time it was stripped from his head, and the paper of message found hidden in it?”

”Yes, you said you would take it back to the Bagrees to show them that Hunsa was dead.”

He could hear the Gulab chuckle. ”That was but the deceit of a woman, Sahib; the simple things that a woman says to deceive a clever man. I knew that Hunsa had the ruby sewn in a corner of the turban, and when I had taken the stone I burned the turban in the fire, for it was like Hunsa--very dirty.”

”Where did Hunsa get it?”

”When the Bagrees killed the jewel merchant, that time the Sahib saved Bootea, he stole it from the other decoits, hiding it in his turban, because the Dewan wanted it.”

”But I don't want the stone--I can't take it,” Barlow expostulated.

”It is for a service, Sahib. Nana Sahib will a.s.suredly cause Ajeet to be put to death if Bootea does not return to his desire, but the Sahib can buy his life with the ruby of great price.”

”But if it were stolen would not Nana Sahib demand it, and then kill Ajeet?”

”No; it was not his ruby; and to obtain it he will set Ajeet free.”

”I'll do that, Gulab,” Barlow agreed, and the girl's hand pushed up from the folds of the blanket to caress his cheek, and her face nestled against his shoulder.

The fingers thrilled him, and, though he had made solemn vow that he would ride like an anchorite, he bent his head and kissed her with a claiming warmth that caused her to cry out as if in misery.

Presently a whimsical fancy swayed the girl, and she said, ”Ayub Alli!”

Barlow laughed, and answered: ”Bismillah!”

”So, Afghan, riding thus, it is not disrespect, just that we be of different faith, Hindu and Musselman.”

”If it were thus, we'd not part at Mandhatta. And as to the faith, thou wouldst become a follower of the Prophet.”

”Yes, Bootea would. If she could go forever thus she would sacrifice entrance to _kailas_. But this is heaven; and perhaps Omkar, when I make the sacrifice--I mean offering--will listen to Bootea's prayers, and--and--”

”And what, Gulab?” Barlow asked, for the girl turned her face against his breast, and her voice had smothered.

Their thoughts were distracted by a din in front that shattered the solemn hush of the night. There was a thunderous beat of tom-toms, the shrill rasping screech of conch-sh.e.l.ls, and in intervals of subversion of instrumental clamour they could hear women's voices, high-pitched, singing the _scahailia_ (song of joy). Loud cries of ”Jae, Jae, Omkar!” rose in a chorus from a hundred swelling throats.

At a turning around a huge banyan tree they saw the flickering flames of torches, and Barlow knew that plodding in front was a large body of pilgrims.

He quickened his horse's pace, drawing Bootea closer to hide her from curious eyes, and as he pa.s.sed the Hindus he knew from their scowling faces and cries of, ”It is a Kaffir--a barbarian!” that they took him for a Mussulman, perhaps one of Sindhia's Arabs.

At the head of the procession, carried on a platform gaily decorated with gaudy cloths, borne on the shoulders of four men, was a figure of Ganesha. The obese, four-armed, jovial son of s.h.i.+va, bobbing in the rhythmic stride of his carriers, seemed to nod his elephant head at the horseman approvingly, wis.h.i.+ng him luck as was the wont of Ganesha. The procession drove in upon Barlow's mind the thought that they were nearing Mandhatta; he realised it with a pang of reluctance. It seemed but a matter of just minutes since he had lifted Bootea to the saddle.

It had hurried the Gulab's mind, too, for at another turn where the road slid into the valley, bringing to their nostrils the soft perfume of _kush-kush_ gra.s.s and the savour of _jamun_ that grew luxuriantly on the banks of the Narbudda, the Gulab asked: ”The Sahib will marry the young Memsahib who is at the city of the Peshwa?”

Barlow was startled. It was like a voice crying out in the night that shattered a blissful dream.

”Why do you ask that, Gulab?”

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