Then Hodson shifted the black goddess and let it remain upon a corner of his table, surmising that the sight of it would help.
"Speak, now," the Resident commanded; and the Jamadar proceeded.
"Dewan Sewlal sent to Raja Karowlee for men for a mission, and whether it was in the letter he sent that thugs should come I know not, but in our party were thugs, and that led to why I am here."
"What is the difference, Ajeet," Hodson asked sharply. "You are a decoit who robs and kills, and thugs kill and rob; you are both disciples of this murderous creature, Kali."
"We who are decoits, while we make offerings to Kali, are not thugs. They have a chief mission of murder, while we have but desire to gain for our families from the rich. The thugs came in this wise, sahib. Bhowanee created them from the sweat of her arms, and gave to them her tooth for a pick-axe, which is their emblem, a rib for a knife, and the hem of her garment for a noose to strangle. The hem of her sacred garment was yellow-and-white, and the roomal that they strangle with is yellow-and-white. They are thugs, Sahib, and we are decoits."
"A fine distinction, sir," and Barlow laughed.
"Proceed," Hodson commanded.
"We were told by the Dewan to go to the camp of the Pindaris and bring back the head of Amir Khan."
"Lovely!" Barlow muttered softly; but Hodson started,—a slight rouge crept over his pale face and he said, "By Gad! this grows interesting, my dear Captain."
"Absolutely Oriental," Barlow added.