He stood still even when footsteps resounded on the winding stair
above and a saber-ferrule clanked from step to step. The gunners heard
and stood squarely to their horses. There was a rustling and a sound
of shifting feet, and, a "Whoa,--you!" to an irritated horse; but
the Rajput stayed motionless until the footsteps reached the door.
Then he took one step forward, faced about and saluted.
"Salaam, Bellairs sahib!" boomed his deep-throated voice, and Lieutenant
Bellairs stepped back with a start into the doorway again--one hand
on his sword-hilt. The Indian moved sidewise to where the lamplight
from the room above could fall upon his face.
"Salaam, Bellairs sahib!" he boomed again.
Then the lieutenant recognized him.
"You, Mahommed Khan!" he exclaimed. "You old war-dog, what brought
you here? Heavens, how you startled me! What good wind brought you?"
"Nay! It seems it was an ill wind, sahib!"
"What ill wind? I'm glad to see you!"
"The breath of rumor, sahib!"
"What rumor brought you?"
"Where a man's honor lies, there is he, in the hour of danger! Is
all well with the Raj, sahib?"
"With the Raj? How d'you mean, Risaldar?"
Mahommed Khan pointed to the waiting guns and smiled.
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