pposed dead and wounded an artful deception for our eyes, all
contrived so that this devil of devils, Mustafa Khan, should gain access
to the citadel with skilled sappers and mining munitions? And was the
youth who had played the part of a goatherd really a son of the man, or
a serpent-tongued liar, a chosen master of craft whose seeming
guilelessness had helped to delude us? It had been a crude first idea on
his part to suggest the admission as refugees of a swarm of armed men,
but, when this had failed, there had been glib readiness with the other
and more subtle plan that had so nearly succeeded. And as I reflected on
these things, I marked the young hypocrite for my own particular prey.

"During the morning hours I was surprised to see the two khans, guest
and host, betrayer and betrayed, walking around the gardens in seeming
amity. But after a time my grandsire beckoned me to his side.

"'This is a grandson of mine,' he said, presenting me to Mustafa Khan.
'He has reported to me that the sabat is approaching too close to your
present quarters, and that any explosion would endanger the members of
your household.'

"I saw the traitor pale under the quiet eye of The Tiger of the Pathans.

"'There will be no explosion to-day,' he stammered.

"'You seem to be fully and precisely acquainted with the plans of our
enemies. Nay, do not draw that sword by your side, Mustafa Khan. Look
behind you, man.'

"With haggard face now, Mustafa turned round. It was to see half a dozen
pikes pointed at his ribs. At a signal from their master a guard had
noiselessly drawn near.

"'You know what to do, jemadar,' said the old Tiger to the officer in
charge. There was a vicious smile now on his face, such as I had never
seen there before and never saw again--a savage curling of the upper lip
that showed the white fangs of the relentless hunting animal.

"And, prodded by the encircling spikes, Mustafa Khan went to his
doom--calmly and proudly erect, be it said, for a Pathan always knows
how to die with dignity and resignation to the will of God. Nor must we
forget that he was a brave man, for in coming to the citadel he had
boldly ventured his life on a desperate chance, and perfidy in the game
of war brings shame only when it meets with discomfiture. Peace be with
his soul!

"My grandsire and I were now alone.

"'You will let me fight that crawling snake, his son?' I cried, with a
gesture of appeal.

"'He is already carrion fo