“And why?”
Again that soul-compelling grin. “What occupation would be to me between crop and crop? It is better than scaring bears. But these people do not understand.”
He picked the masks off the floor and looked in my face as simply as a child.
“By what road didst thou attain knowledge to make those deviltries?” I said, pointing.
“I cannot tell. I am but a Lepcha of Darjiling, and yet the stuff”—
“Which thou hast stolen,” said I.
“Nay, surely. Did I steal? I desired it so. The stuff—the stuff. What else should I have done with the stuff?” He twisted the velvet between his fingers.
“But the sin of maiming the cow—consider that.”
“Oh, sahib, the man betrayed me; the heifer's tail waved in the moonlight, and I had my knife. What else should I have done? The tail came off ere I was aware. Sahib, thou knowest more than I.”
“That is true,” said I. “Stay within the door. I go to speak to the king.” The population of the state were ranged on the hillside. I went forth and spoke.