"What have they done that they should be sent away?" asked Ismail.
"What have they done that they should be sent to the fort, where
the arrficer will put them in irons?"

"Why should he put them in irons?" asked King.

"Why not? Here in the Khyber there is often a price on men's heads!"

"And not in Delhi?"

"In Delhi these were not known. There were no witnesses in Delhi.
In the fort at Ali Masjid there will be a dozen ready to swear to them!"

"Then, why did they obey?" asked King.

"What is that on the sahib's wrist?"

"You mean--?"

"Sahib--if she said, 'Walk into the fire or over that Cliff!' there
be many in these 'Hills' who would obey without murmuring!"

"I have nothing against them," said King. As long as they are my
men I will not send them into a trap."

"Good!" nodded Ismail and Darya Khan together, but they did not
seem really satisfied.

"It is good," said Ismail, "that she should have nothing against thee,
sahib! Those three men are in thy keeping!"