"No, Sahib," he said, laughing. "It is true I killed ten between two traverses."
"Better ask him right out, sir," the doctor suggested.
"I have heard some story about gold helping the Jat to heaven," the Colonel observed to Tara.
The gleam of reminiscence in the havildar's eyes, as he confirmed this legend, showed that he was not speaking merely to please. It was the old story of Charon. Gold, he explained, was a passport in the other world as in this, and it was not safe to carry it on the finger or on the ear where it might be detached, so it was worn in the teeth.
"And who puts it there?"
"The goldsmith, Sahib," and he enlarged upon the exorbitance of the Sonari; for the Jat is as thrifty as the Scot.
It was on account of these charges that Tara had omitted the rite.
"When you go back to your village," the Colonel said, dismissing him, "don't forget to visit the Sonari, and then you will not tell any more lies."
Tara saluted with an irradiating smile.
"Assuredly, Sahib, I will not forget," he said. "I shall go straight to the Sonari."