“Ismail! Take two men. Go down the Pass out of ear-shot, and keep watch! Come back when I whistle thus--but no sooner!”
He put fingers between his teeth and blew until the night shrilled back at him. Ismail seized the leather bag and started to obey.
“Leave that bag. Leave it, I say!”
“But some man may steal it, sahib. How shall a thief know there is no money in it?”
“Leave it and go!”
Ismail departed, grumbling, and King turned on Darya Khan.
“Take the remaining man, and go up the Pass!” he ordered. “Stand out of ear-shot and keep watch. Come when I whistle!”
“But this one has a belly ache where Ismail smote him! Can a man with a belly ache stand guard? His moaning will betray both him and me!” objected “Lord of the Rivers.”
“Take him and go!” commanded King.
“But--”