A minute later he was answered by the sound
of fingernails scrabbling on the outer door. He turned the key and
opened it.
"Enter!" he ordered.
Barefooted and ragged, but as clean as a soldier on parade and with
huge knots of muscles bulging underneath his copper skin, a Rajput
entered, bowing his six feet of splendid manhood almost to the floor.
"This, heavenborn, is my half-brother, son of a low-born border-woman,
whom my father chose to honor thus far! The dog is loyal!"
"Salaam!" said Ruth, with little interest.
"Salaam, memsahib!" muttered the shabby Rajput. "Does any watch?"
demanded the Risaldar in Hindustanee. "Aye, one."
"And he?"
"Is he of whom I spoke."
"Where watches he?"
"There is a hidden passage leading from the archway; he peeps out
through a crack, having rolled back so far the stone that seals it."
He held his horny fingers about an inch apart to show the distance.
"Couldst thou approach unseen?"
The Rajput nodded.
"And there are no others there?"
"No others."
"Has thy strength left thee, or thy cunning?"
"Nay!"
"Then bring him!"
Without a word in answer the giant turned and went, and the Risaldar
made fast the door behind him.
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