When a man says he is holy he can find few in the "Hills" to believe
him; but when he dies or is tortured to death or shot, even the men
who murdered him will come and revere his grave.

Whole villages leave their preciousest possessions at a shrine
before wandering in search of summer pasture. They find them safe
on their return, although the "Hills" are the home of the lightest-
fingered thieves on earth, who are prouder of villainy than of virtue.
A man with a blood-feud, and his foe hard after him, may sleep in
safety at a faquir's grave. His foe will wait within range, but
he will not draw trigger until the grave is left behind.

So a man may rest in temporary peace even on the road to Khinjan,
although Khinjan and peace have nothing whatever in common.

It was at such a shrine, surrounded by tattered rags tied to sticks,
that fluttered in the wind three or four thousand feet above Khyber
level, that King drew Ismail into conversation, and deftly forced
on him the role of questioner.

"How can'st thou see the Caves!" he asked, for King had hinted at
his intention; and for answer King gave him a glimpse of the gold
bracelet.

"Aye! Well and good! But even she dare not disobey the rule.
Khinjan was there before she came, and the rule was there from the
beginning, when the first men found the Caves! Some--hundreds--
have gained admission, lacking the right. But who ever saw them
again? Allah! I, for one, would not chance it!"