While the surgeon was studying the ruffians, he observed a Ghoojur riding toward them. He came from a direction which shut him from view until close at hand. The two sentinels, as they may be called, walked to the entrance of the archway, where they scrutinized the men with the closest attention.
The horseman halted when he reached the squad of brigands, and talked several minutes with them. Then he wheeled his horse around, and rode on a walk toward the ruined temple.
Coming into clearer view, it was seen that he was dressed better than any of the others, and no doubt was their leader. He wore a massive turban, from which descended a graceful scarf of embroidered muslin, and carried a beautifully ornamented sword at his side. His animal was a small pony of high blood, jet black in color, and was caparisoned as gayly as the steed of a Rajah.
It struck Avery that he approached dangerously close before he drew up and took a survey of the temple, as though it was entirely new to him. His sallow face, with the sunken and lustrous eyes, the beak-like nose, and the long coarse mustache curling downward, were so distinctly seen by the doctor that he was sure he could never forget them.
Luchman showed a deep interest in the ruffian, and he drew Avery back a few steps as a precaution against treachery.
"You will remember him, sahib?" he asked, in a low voice.
"As long as I live! Who is he?"
"He is the Brahmin fakir who brought the missionary and his family to this temple; I know his name, sahib."
"What is it?"
"Wana Affghar of Puneput. He is the Ghoojur chieftain who has hunted me so long, because of the Star of India which I carry; he feels sure of me now; he has tracked me better than I believed he could do."