minutes to heave and haul the struggling animal to the level road above.

There, with eyes long grown used to the dark, King stared about him,
recovering his breath and feeling in his pockets for a fresh cheroot
and matches. He struck a match and watched it to be sure his hand
did not shake before he spoke, because one of Cocker's rules is
that a man must command himself before trying it on others.

"Where are the others?" he asked, when he was certain of himself.

"Gone!" boomed Ismail, still panting, for he had heaved and dragged
more stoutly than had all the rest together.

King took a dozen pulls at the cheroot and stared about again. In
the middle of the road stood his second horse, and three mules with
his baggage, including the unmarked medicine chest. Close to them
were three men, making the party now only six all told, including
Darya Khan, himself and Ismail.

"Gone whither?" he asked.

"Whither?"

Ismail's voice was eloquent of shocked surprise.

"They followed! Was it then thy baggage on the other mules? Were
they thy men? They led the mules and went!"

"Who ordered them?"