she is--but not in the way they think! They believe she plots
with them against the Raj! Poor silly devils! Yet Yasmini loves
them! They want war--blood--loot! It is all they think about!
They are seldom satisfied unless their wrists and elbows are bally
well red with other peoples' gore! And while they are picturing
the loot, and the slaughter of unbelievers--(as if they believed
anything but foolishness themselves!)--Yasmini plays her own game,
for amusement and power--a good game--a deep game! You have seen
already how India has to ask her aid in the 'Hills'! She loves
power, power, power--not for its name, for names are nothing, but
to use it. She loves the feel of it! Fighting is not power!
Blood-letting is foolishness. If there is any blood spilt it is
none of her doing--unless--"

"Unless what?" asked King.

"Oh--sometimes there were fools who interfered. You can not blame
her for that."

"You seem to be a champion of hers! How long have you known her?"'

The Rangar eyed him sharply.

"A long time. She and I played together when we were children.
I know her whole history--and that is something nobody else in the
world knows but she herself. You see, I am favored. It is because
she knows me very well that she chose me to travel North with you,
when you start to find her in the 'Hills'!"

King cleared his throat, and the Rangar nodded, looking into his