Then he examined the packs with the aid of the flashlight, sorted
them and ordered two of the mules reloaded.

"You three!" he ordered then. "Take the loaded mules into Ali Masjid
Fort. Take this chit, you. Give it to the sahib in command there."

They stood and gaped at him, wide-eyed--then I came closer to see
his eyes and to catch any whisper that Ismail might have for them.
But Ismail and Darya Khan seemed full of having been chosen to stay
behind; they offered no suggestions--certainly no encouragement
to mutiny.

"To hear is to obey!" said the nearest man, seizing the note, for
at all events that was the easiest task. His action decided the
other two. They took the mules' leading-reins and followed him.
Before they had gone ten paces they were all swallowed in the mist
that had begun to flow southeastward; it closed on them like a
blanket, and in a minute more the clink of shod hooves had ceased.
The night grew still, except for the whimpering of jackals. Ismail
came nearer and squatted at King's feet.

"Why, sahib?" he asked: and Darya Khan came closer, too. King
had tied the reins of the two horses and the one remaining mule
together in a knot and was sitting on the pack.

"Why not?" he countered.

Solemn, almost motionless, squatted on their hunkers, they looked
like two great vultures watching an animal die.