CHAPTER XXV.
BUKTAR SING.
There was an alarming significance in the declaration of the native guide that the horseman at the head of the Ghoojurs who were besieging the fugitives in the ruined temple was Wana Affghar of Puneput.
He was the brigand who by some means had learned that Luchman was the possessor of the great diamond, the Star of India, and who for a year had been trying to secure the wonderful gem, without regard to the means employed. Either suspecting or knowing of a certainty that the daring Christian carried it about his person, he had guided his movements in accordance with that fact.
He had hired detectives, as they may be called, to follow the footsteps of Luchman, their instructions being not to kill him but to lead him into some situation that would place him in the power of the Ghoojur chieftain. The latter was handicapped by the impossibility of fully trusting his employees. If one of them should slay Luchman and take the diamond from him, the assassin would be sure to keep the jewel himself.
Accordingly Wana gave out that he wished to "habeas corpus" the body of the Hindoo proselyte for an unpardonable crime committed against him. The emissaries of the brigand were not permitted to know the fortune Luchman carried, and they directed all their attempts, therefore, toward persuading him to venture outside of the large cities, where the vigilant Wana Affghar could seize him.
This task, however, was impossible of accomplishment, because the native was certain to suspect the meaning of such a proposal, no matter how cautiously made; but he underestimated the ability of these birds of prey. At the very time he thought they were thrown off the scent, he was under their surveillance. The outbreak in Delhi led him to move northward with the Europeans, which was in the direction of the chieftain's regular tramping ground.
Everything united to aid Wana. The delay was long enough to allow him to perfect his plans. It was necessary to placate his men, which he did by promising to turn over to them all of the Feringhees, with whatever loot they might have in their possession. He only demanded the body of the native, thus parrying all suspicion of his avarice, which was his sole governing motive.
Without saying more, the reader will comprehend the situation as it was developed to Wana Affghar of Puneput, to Luchman, and to Dr. Baird Avery.
The rest of the fugitives knew nothing of these particulars, and the guide showed no wish to enlighten them.