"Is not the
voice of the cow heard at sunset a good omen, Guru?" he demanded.
"Indeed it is," the priest affirmed. "If the voice of a cow is heard
issuing at twilight from a village at which decoits are to profit, it
is surely a promise from Bhowanee that a large store of silver will be
obtained."
"Take thee to thy prayers, Guru," Ajeet commanded, "for we have matters
to settle." He turned to Sookdee. "Your omens will avail little if
there is prosecution over the disappearance of the merchant. I am
supposed to be in command, the leader, but I am the led. But I will
not withdraw, and it is not the place of the chief to handle the
_roomal_. We will eat our food, and after the evening prayers will sit
about the fire and amuse this merchant with stories such as honest men
and holy ones converse in, that he may be at peace in his mind. As
Sookdee says, the women will be sent to the grove of trees we came
through on the road."
"We will gather about the fire of the merchant," Sookdee declared, "for
it is in the mango grove and hidden from sight of the villagers.
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