The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-04-05
CHAPTER xIx-continued.

NfJAF Ell AbA-NOUIluuSQs
p
King nodded again, for hod is less
committal than a word; and the nod
was enough to start the mullah off
again.
Il saw the Sleeper and his bride be-
fore she knew of either! 1t was who
let her into Khinjan! 1t was who
told the men she is the Heart Of the
Hills come to lifel She tricked me!
But this Is no hour for bearing grudges.
She has plan and am minded to
help"
King lay still and looked up at him,
sure that treachery was the ultimate
end Of any plan the mullah Muham-
mad Amin had. India has been saved
by the treachery of her enemies more
often than ruined by false friends. So
has the world, for that matter.
"A jihad when the right hour comes
will raise the tribes" the mullah
growled. "She and thou, as the Sleep
er and his mate, could work wonders.
But who can trust her? She stole that
head She stole all the ammunition !!
Does she surely love thee?"
King nodded again, for modesty
could not help him at that juncture.
Love and boastfulness go together in
the s'Hills."
"She shall have thee back, then, at a
price!"
King did not answer. His brown eyes
watched the mullah's, and he drew his
breath IN little jerks, lest by breath
ing aloud he should miss one word of
what was coming.
"She shall have thee back against
Khinjan and the ammunitionI She
and thou shall have India, but shall
be the power behind you! I have men
in Khinjanl have as many as she!
On the day march there will be a re-
volt within. She. would better agree
to terms 70
King lay looking at him, like pris-
oner on the rack undergoing examine
ton. He did not answer.
"Write thou letter. Since she loves
thee, state thine own case to her. Tell
her that hold thee hostage, and that
fighting. In a month she cannot pick
out my men from among her own. Her
position is undermined. Tell her that.
Tell her that If she obeys she shall
have India and be queen. If she dis
obeys, she shall die in the Cavern Of
Earth's Drink !"
"She is proud woman, mullah," an
swered King. Threats to such as
she-?'
The mullah mumbled and strobe
back and forth three times between
Kings bed and the fire, with his fists
knotted together behind him and his
head bent, as Napoleon used to walk.
When he stood beside the bed again at
last it was with his mind made up, as
his clenched fists and his eyes indi-
Gated.
Make thine own terms with her"
he growled. write the letter and
send it.! hold thee; she holds kim
Jan and the ammunition. am between
her and India. So be it. She shall
starve in there! She shall lie in there
until the war is over and take what
terms are offered her in the end Write
thine own letter! State the case, and
bid her answer!"
Very WELL" said King. He began
to see now definitely how India was to
be saved. It was none of his business
to plan yet, but to help others plans
destroy themselves and to sow such
seed in the broken ground as might
bear fruit in time.
The mullah left him, to squat and
gaze into the fire, and mutter, and King
lay still. After while the mullah went
to the mouth of the cave, to stand and
stare out at the camp where the thou
sand fires were dying fitfully and wood
smoke purged the air of human nasti-
ness. The stars looked down on him.
and he seemed to try to read them,
standing with fists knotted together at
his back.
And as he stood so, six other null
labs came to him and began to argue
with him in low tones, he browbeating
them all with furious words Kissed be-
tween half-closed teeth. They were
whispering still when King fell asleep.
1t was courage, not carelessness, that
let him sleep-courage and great
hope born Of the mullah's perplexity.