Then, he see what I see, that you are not only his
servant but also a woman and that you have a woman's heart. He
learn--who think he knows all--that he, too, is not yet a spirit
but only a man, and have a man's heart, a man's blood, a man's
longings! It is because of the Doctor Sahib that he learn it----"
He grasped Miska again, but she struggled to elude him. "Oh, let me
go!" she pleaded. "It is madness you speak!"
"It is madness, yes--for _you!_ Always I have watched, always I have
waited; and I also have seen you bloom like a rose in the desert.
To-night I am here--watching ... and _he_ knows it! Tomorrow I am
gone! Do you stay, for--_him?_
"Oh," she whispered fearfully, "it cannot be."
"You say true when you say I have been your only friend, Miska.
To-morrow _he_ plan that you have no friend."
He released her, and slowly, from the sleeve of his coat, slipped into
view the curved blade of a native knife.
_"Ali Khan Bhai Salam!"_ he muttered--by which formula he
proclaimed himself a _Thug!_
Rolling his eyes in the direction of the eastern wall, he concealed
the knife.
"Chunda Lal!" Miska spoke wildly. "I am frightened! Please let me go,
and tomorrow----"
"To-morrow!" Chunda Lal raised his eyes, which were alight with the
awful light of fanaticism. "For me there may be no tomorrow! _Jey
Bhowani! Yah Allah!"_
"Oh, _he_ may hear you!" whispered Miska pitifully. "Please go now.
I shall know that you are near me, if----"
"And then?"
"I will ask your aid.
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