"Well?" said the younger. "Tell me. I shall have to hurry. You
see I'm in charge back there. They saw me come out, but I hope to
teach 'em a lesson going back."

Athelstan nodded. "Good!" he said. "I've a roving commission. I'm
ordered to enter Khinjan Caves."

His brother whistled. "Tall order! What's your plan?"

"Haven't one--yet. Know more when I'm nearer Khinjan. You can
help no end."

"How? Name it!"

"I shall go up in disguise. Nobody can put the stain on as well
as you. But tell me something first. Any news of a holy war yet?"

His brother nodded. "Plenty of talk about one to come," he said.
"We keep hearing of that lashkar that we can't locate, under a mullah
whose name seems to change with the day of the week. And there
are everlasting tales about the 'Heart of the Hills."'

"No explanation of 'em?" Athelstan asked him.

"None! Not a thing!"

"D'you know of Yasmini?"

"Heard of her of course," said his brother.