" The girl dropped her eyes and
turning a gold bangle on her wrist gazed upon a ruby that had the
contour of a serpent's head. Presently she asked, "Will the Sahib go
to Khureyra and have a knife thrust between his ribs?"
Barlow was startled by this query. "Why should I go to Khureyra,
Gulab?"
"To see Amir Khan."
"What makes you say that?"
"Because it is known. But the Chief is not now there--he has taken his
horsemen to Saugor."
Again this was startling. Also the information was of great value. If
the Pindari horde had left the territory of Sindhia and crossed the
border into Saugor they were closer to the British.
Barlow patted the girl's hand, saying, "My salaams to you, little girl."
He felt her slim cool fingers press his hand, but he shrank from the
claiming touch, muttering, "The damned barrier!"
Suddenly Barlow remembered Bootea had spoken of another reason for
going to the Pindari camp. He puzzled over this a little, hesitating
to question her; she had not told him what it was, but had asked if he
were going there; the reason evidently had something to do with him.
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