"I will let you by when you have told me where she is!"

"Then I die here, and very likely thou, too!" the man answered,
bringing his rifle to the port in front of him so quickly that he
almost had King at a disadvantage. As it was, King was quick enough
to balance matters by covering him with the pistol again. The horses
sensed excitement and began to stir. With a laugh the jezailchi
let the rifle fall across his lap, and at that King put the pistol
out of sight.

"Fool!" hissed Ismail in his ear; but King knows the "Hills" better
in some ways than the savages who live in them; they, for instance,
never seem able to judge. whether there will be a fight presently
or not.

"Why won't you tell me where she is?" he asked in his friendliest
voice, and that would wheedle secrets from the Sphynx.

"Her secrets are her own, and may Allah help her guard them! I will
tear my tongue out first!"

"Enviable woman!" murmured King. "Pass, friend!" he ordered,
reining aside. "Take my spare horse and leave me that weary one,
so you will recover the lost time and more into the bargain."

The man changed horses gladly, saying nothing. When he had shifted
the saddle and mounted, he began to ride off with a great air, not
so much as deigning to scowl at Ismail. But he had not ridden a
dozen paces when he sat round in the saddle and drew rein.