Tremulously and in fear he gently closed his fingers, fearful that they would shut upon vacancy, as they had done so many times in the past. But no; there was the round, cold gem, as big as a robin's egg, heavy and substantial—not shadowy, but real.
By and by the spell began to lift, and Wana Affghar became himself again—crafty, cruel, perfidious as Satan himself.
With his gaze still riveted on the diamond, as he slowly opened and closed his hand, he said:
"It is the will of Allah that the Star of India shall be mine, and I accept it bismillah (by the will of God); but the infidel deserves only death. The Feringhees that profaned the temple are prisoners, for, despite the cunning of the dog, Luchman, Ramsurun Duss remained with some of the faithful, and has prevented their flight. Their eyes shall not see the rising of tomorrow's sun, nor shall you, infidel dog, go hence; he who allows Luchman to escape shall lose his head!"
As Wana Affghar emitted the last exclamation in a loud voice, he flung off the spell that had held him motionless, raised his eyes from the sinewy hand that closed fiercely about the gun, and circled it above his head, as a signal for his ruffians to fall upon Luchman and hew him to pieces.
But dekhna! Luchman was not there!
CHAPTER XXXIII.
ASIATIC HONOR.
Luchman the guide was expecting treachery, and he therefore took no chances.
Observing the fixedness of the chieftain's gaze and the spell that held his senses captive, he felt that it was an appropriate time for him to leave. The majority of the Ghoojurs were some yards distant, and they were not likely to interfere, when they had noticed the consideration he received from their leader.