"Tell him I'm tired of his not answering. Tell him that if he can't
learn to give a civil answer to a civilly put question I'll exercise
my authority on him!"

The Beluchi translated, or pretended to. Brown was not sure which,
for he was rewarded with nothing but another chuckle, which sounded
like water gurgling down a drain.

"Does he still say nothing?"

"Absolutely nothing, sahib."

Brown stepped up closer yet, and peered into the blackness, looking
straight into the eyes that glared at him, and from them down at the
body of the owner of them. The Beluchi shrank away.

"Have a care, sahib! It is dangerous! This very holy--most holy--
most religious man!"

"Bring that lantern back."

"He will curse you, sahib!"

"Do you hear me?"

The Beluchi came nearer again, trembling with fright. Brown snatched
the lamp away from him, and pushed it forward toward the fakir, moving
it up and down to get a view of the whole of him. There was nothing
that he saw that would reassure or comfort or please a devil even.