"Yes."
"Then he's either in league with the sentry, or caught him napping, though I don't understand how Gur Buksh and his men could have slept through the groaning and creaking of the drawbridge."
"Perhaps it wasn't Nurla at all, but some one on this side," suggested Lawrence.
"I don't believe it for a moment. The Sikhs are perfectly trustworthy; the servants too; and the Babu, though as inquisitive as a monkey, is quite honest and knows nothing about ores--though I daresay he wouldn't own it. Look here! we must say nothing whatever about this matter. To refer to it publicly would only stir up unrest among the workmen, and might lead to disturbances between the Pathans and the Kalmucks. Each set would accuse the other. We must keep quiet for a day or two, and watch. You had better not show up to-morrow, Bob. To see you with your head bandaged would set every one talking."
"I shall be all right in the morning," said Bob.
"I hope so. By the way, you were struck from behind, you say?"
"Yes: there are evidently two men in it."
"So much the better. There'll be two quaking in their shoes, and we may be able to spot signs of guilt in their manner. Keep your eye on Nurla and Black Jack, who follows him like a shadow. You made the darwan understand he's not to talk, Lawrence?"
"He won't say a word, I'm sure."
"Then get to bed. I see you've bandaged Bob's head in a workmanlike way. Where did you learn that?"