They spoke together quickly in their own language, drawing aside and
muttering to each other. It was plain that the half-brother was making
some suggestion and that the Risaldar was questioning him and cross-
examining him about his plan, but neither Ruth nor the High Priest
could understand a word that either of them said. At the end of two
minutes or more, the Risaldar gave an order of some kind and the half-
brother grunted and left the room without another word, closing the
door noiselessly behind him. The Risaldar locked it again from the
inside and drew the bolt.
"We have made another plan, heavenborn!" he announced mysteriously.
"Then--then--you won't hurt this priest?"
"Not yet," said the Risaldar. "He may be useful!"
"Won't you unbind him, then? Look! His wrists and ankles are
all swollen."
"Let the dog swell!" he grunted.
But Ruth stuck to her point and made him loosen the bonds a little.
"A man lives and learns!" swore the Risaldar. "Such as he were cast
into dungeons in my day, to feed on their own bellies until they had
had enough of life!"
"The times have changed!" said Ruth.
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