He folded the note and stuck a postage stamp on it in lieu of seal. Then he examined the packs with the aid of the flashlight, sorted them and ordered two of the mules reloaded.

"You three!" he ordered then. "Take the loaded mules into Ali Masjid Fort. Take this chit, you. Give it to the sahib in command there."

They stood and gaped at him, wide-eyed—then I came closer to see his eyes and to catch any whisper that Ismail might have for them. But Ismail and Darya Khan seemed full of having been chosen to stay behind; they offered no suggestions—certainly no encouragement to mutiny.

"To hear is to obey!" said the nearest man, seizing the note, for at all events that was the easiest task. His action decided the other two. They took the mules' leading-reins and followed him. Before they had gone ten paces they were all swallowed in the mist that had begun to flow southeastward; it closed on them like a blanket, and in a minute more the clink of shod hooves had ceased. The night grew still, except for the whimpering of jackals. Ismail came nearer and squatted at King's feet.

"Why, sahib?" he asked: and Darya Khan came closer, too. King had tied the reins of the two horses and the one remaining mule together in a knot and was sitting on the pack.

"Why not?" he countered.

Solemn, almost motionless, squatted on their hunkers, they looked like two great vultures watching an animal die.

"What have they done that they should be sent away?" asked Ismail. "What have they done that they should be sent to the fort, where the arrficer will put them in irons?"

"Why should he put them in irons?" asked King.

"Why not? Here in the Khyber there is often a price on men's heads!"

"And not in Delhi?"

"In Delhi these were not known. There were no witnesses in Delhi. In the fort at Ali Masjid there will be a dozen ready to swear to them!"

"Then, why did they obey?" asked King.

"What is that on the sahib's wrist?"

"You mean—?"

"Sahib—if she said, 'Walk into the fire or over that Cliff!' there be many in these 'Hills' who would obey without murmuring!"

"I have nothing against them," said King. "As long as they are my men I will not send them into a trap."

"Good!" nodded Ismail and Darya Khan together, but they did not seem really satisfied.

"It is good," said Ismail, "that she should have nothing against thee, sahib! Those three men are in thy keeping!"

"And I in thine?" King asked, but neither man answered him.