"Is the Fakeer who lives there a Hindoo or Moosulman?" "I saw the impression of spread hands in whitewash on the rock, so he must be a Moosulman," said I. "Then I know how to act," cried the Thug. "Sahibs, I take my leave, and will not fail you. I shall be with you by the time I am required." "Will he manage it?" I asked of Bhudrinath. "Methinks it is a delicate business." "Never fear him," said Bhudrinath; "he is a most accomplished rogue and is a capital hand at disguise, especially as a Fakeer, and once got us considerable booty by enticing five Nanukshaee Fakeers among us who had picked up a good deal of money, and were going to build a well with it. Besides, he is as brave as a lion, and you have seen his other work." As we were talking Surfuraz Khan came in. "Ours has been a good business," he cried exultingly, "and there is good spoil. We have killed all the men, and the plunder is coming in charge of our fellows." "That is so far good," said I; "but is there any ready money, or is it all goods?" "Both, Meer Sahib, both; but methinks you need not be so ready to ask, when we have not seen your face ever since we have been in the city. We might all have been taken and safely lodged in Puntoo Lall's huwélee for all you knew of the matter. I do not like such conduct." I was enraged at his speech, and was about making an angry reply when Bhudrinath interfered. "Peace!" said he, "no brawls: it is disgraceful, and only fit for drunkards and smokers of ganja; listen to me. Surfuraz Khan, you are no boy, and ought not to let your anger have sway; listen and hear what our young jemadar has been about, and I swear by Bhowanee I think he will yet put us all to shame." He then related all I had told him, on hearing which Surfuraz Khan's angry feelings gave way in a moment; he rose and embraced me. "I was wrong," said he, "and you must forgive me; and to prove that I am more than ever your friend, I beg you to allow me a place in this adventure, for, by Alla! it promises to be a strange one." "Willingly," said I; "we thought you would not arrive in time, but now you are come I would not on any account that you did not accompany us." "So you have strangled the fellows you took out," said Bhudrinath. "Had you any trouble?" "None whatever," replied the Khan. "We took them out on the Masulipatam road, and found a spot on the other side of Surroonuggur; we threw the bodies into a well and returned by another road. Soobhan Alla! this is a rare place, and we might remain here for years and have some amusement every day. I think I shall stay here." "You may do as you please about that," said I, "when we have shared the spoil we have got. You will then be free, but I should be sorry to lose you."