a friend of the King of Eengland. If I were less than a man of my
word I could make you prisoner and oblige your friend the King of
Eengland to squeeze these cursed Turks!"

Rustum Khan heard what he said, and made noise enough drawing his
saber to be heard outside the kahveh, but Kagig did not turn his
head. Three gipsies attended to Rustum Khan, slipping between him
and their master, and our four Zeitoonli servants cautiously approached
the Rajput from behind.

"Peace!" ordered Monty. "Continue, Kagig."

Kagig held both hands toward Monty, palms upward, as if he were offering
the keys of Hell and Heaven.

"You are sportmen, all of you. Shall I keep my word to you? Or
shall I serve my nation in its agony?"

Monty glanced swiftly at us, but we made no sign. Will actually
looked away. It was a rule we four had to leave the playing of a
hand to whichever member of the partnership was first engaged; and
we never regretted it, although it often called for faith in one
another to the thirty-third degree. The next hand might fall to
any other of us, but for the present it was Monty's play.

"We hold you to your word!" said Monty.

Kagig gasped. "But my people!"

"Keep your word to them too! Surely you haven't promised them to