such a promiscuously gathered crowd as the strangler
described."

"You have been in luck," laughed the Afghan.

"Doubtless on those occasions the omens proved unpropitious for the
final deed. A jackal crossing the road or the hoot of an owl at midnight
may have spared your life, my friend."

With a shudder, the trader drew his white garments more closely around
him.

"Well," remarked the magistrate, "for my own part, ever from that day
when I heard the story of thugs and thuggee I have exercised the
precaution of never travelling a single mile on the road with strangers,
however fair-spoken. Although I have never again met anyone whom I could
positively accuse of such practices, that the evil exists in our midst,
and is widely spread, I am convinced. For a religion that provides a
rich livelihood, while at the same time exalting the attendant crime
into positive virtue is at least convenient enough to have many ardent
devotees." The words were accompanied by a glance around the listening
group, and a disdainful half-smile that expressed distrust of all
humanity.

"But of a truth," he went on, "I know no more than my story has told.
And hark! There is the trumpet call that heralds the coming of the sun."

Saying this, the kotwal uncrossed his legs and rose erect.

The long winding note of a horn was floating from the camp of the
soldiery near the city gateway, and in a moment there came from the same
direction the confused sound of men's voices afar off, calling the one
to the other.

"I must away," exclaimed the Afghan, springing alertly to his feet, and
buckling his sword belt. Three or four servants of the Rajput chief had
approached, and were gathering together the cushions and rugs on which
he had been reclining. One of them placed in his master's hand the
bejewelled hilt of his scimitar.

"This for my enemies and the enemies of Akbar," cried the Rajput,
drawing the curved blade half way from its scabbard. "But I would not
soil it with the heart's blood of a thug. For him the gibbet, and the
crows to pick out his eyes."

Just then the first lance-tips of the dawn flashed above the horizon,
gilding the domes and minarets of the marble city. Away in the distance
could be heard the wailing cry of a muezzin calling the faithful to
prayer.

Other members of the party had now arisen, each intent on his own
affairs, one arranging his garments, another settling his turban
straight on his head, the hakeem adj