"And did his son obey him?" asked Ahmed.
"He did, and so was the honour of his house saved," replied the old man.
Ahmed was silent for a minute or two; then he said—
"Ahsan, think you I could cut a hole in that shed where the powder-bags are laid?"
"Hai! How wouldest thou get there?" said the gate-keeper. "Verily not by the door; were it opened, Minghal's dogs would burst in."
"True, but could you not let me down over the wall by a rope?"
"And what then? The gates are shut: there is no entrance."
"But I know of a place on the other side of the village where there are notches in the wall, by which I might mount; and, the wall scaled, I could steal my way to the shed and maybe cut a hole and lay a train, and so fire the powder that lies there for our destruction."
"You could never get over the wall unspied," said the old man; "and if they catch you, you are dead."
"But the place where I can scale the wall will be in darkness when the moon shines on the tower. If it is to be done it must be done before the moon has crept round, for as soon as the tower door is in darkness be sure they will set about their purpose."