Part 33 (1/2)
He looked again at Ismail With teeth clenched and eyes ablaze, the Afridi was s to and fro There was no need to fear him He turned and touched the Pathan's broad shoulder The man smiled and bent his turbaned head to listen
”Opposite,” said King, ”nearly exactly opposite-three rows back fro the front row as one-there sits a e over his eye”
The Pathan nodded and touched his knife-hilt
”One-and-twentyblack beard, whose shoulders are like a bull's As he sits he hangs his head between them-thus”
”And you want him killed? Nay, I think you estion was as good-naturedly prompt as if the hakim's need had been water, and the other's flask were ee
”Who a answered with mild reproof ”My trade is to heal, not slay I am a hakim”
The other nodded
”Yet, to enter Khinjan Caves you had to slay aanswered ain with friendly understanding
”What about the man yonder, then?” the Pathan asked ”What will you have of him?”
”Look! See! Tell ot up and strode forward to stand on the box, kicking aside the elbows that leaned on it and laughing when the owners cursed hi deliberately three tier on the palm of his hand to check himself
”Bull-with-a-beard!” he announced at last, dropping back into place beside King ”Muha asked
”He says he is an Afghan But unless he lies he is fro to asksat still and held his peace The direr the need of information in the ”Hills,” and in all the East for thatuninquisitive And wisdom was rewarded now, for the Pathan, ould have dried up under eager questioning, grew talkative Civility and volubility are so-the hakim Kurram Khan-blinked mildly behind his spectacles and looked like one to whoo to Sikara him a hundred men for his lashkar He says he has her special favor Wait and watch, I say!
”Has hea bow at a venture for conversation's sake But there is an art in asking artless questions
”Aye! The liar says the Gerave it to him! He swears they will send more Who are the Germans? Who is a old coin given hi-meat and washed it doine Are such men sons of the Prophet? Wait and watch, say I!”
”Money?” said King ”He admits it? And none dare kill him for it? You say his time is not yet come?”
More than ever it was obvious that the hakiesture of contempt
”I dare what I will, hakim! But he says there is more money on the way! When he has it all-e are all in Allah's keeping-He decides!”
”And should no more money come?”