If I have this one"--again he touched Monty--"I know well you will
come seeking him! You, effendi, you understand my--necessity?"

Monty nodded, smiling gravely. There was a fire at the back of Monty's
eyes and something in his bearing I had never seen before.

"Then I go with my colonel sahib!" announced Rustum Khan. "That
gipsy woman will kill him otherwise!"

"Better help hunt for the lady, Rustum Khan."

"Nay, colonel sahib bahadur--thy blood on my head! I go with thee
--into hell and out beyond if need be!"

"You fellows agreeable?" asked Monty. "There is no disputing Kagig's
decision. We're at his mercy."

"We've got to find Miss Vanderman!" said Will.

"You are not at my mercy, effendi," grumbled Kagig. The man was
obviously distressed. "You are rather at my discretion. I am
responsible. For my nation's sake and for my honor I dare not lose
you. Who has not seen how a cow will follow the calf in a wagon?
So in your case, if I hold the one--the chief one--the noble one--the
lord--the cousin of the Eenglis king" (Monty's rank was mounting
like mercury in a tube as Kagig warmed to the argument) --"you others
will certainly hunt him up-hill and down-dale. Thus will my honor
and my country's cause both profit!"

Monty smiled benignantly.