“Come!” called the one-eyed guide from the neck of the fork ahead. And as they all pressed forward after King the hairless mullah gave a signal and the great stone door slid slowly into place. It was like a tombstone. It was as if the world that mortals know were a thing of the forgotten past and the underworld lay ahead. “Lead along, Charon!” King grinned. He needed some sort of pleasantry to steady his nerves. But even so he wondered what the nerves of India would be like if her millions knew of this place. Chapter IX Oh, Abdul trod with a martial tread, Swinging his scimiter's weight. “I am overlord here,” he said, “And he who wishes may chance his head, “For my blade is long, and my arm is strong, “And the goods of the world to the bold belong!” So Abdul guarded the gate. Many a head did Abdul cleave, Turban and crown and chin, For all the 'venturers sought to know What it could be he guarded so. And since none give but eke receive, A thrust in his ribs made Abdul grieve For good blood outpourin'. His men wept, watching Abdul bleed And life's light waning dim, Till he cursed them. “Open the fort gate wide! To saddle, and scour the countryside For a leech!” he swore. “God rot ye, ride!” 'Twas thus, in the guise of a friend in need, His enemy came to him. The second gap closed up behind them and the tunnel began to echo weirdly. The mule was the next to be panic-stricken. The noise of his plunging increased the echoes a thousand times and multiplied his fright, until the poor brute collapsed into meek obedience at last. But the guide strode on unconcerned with his easy Hillman gait, neither deigning to glance back nor making any verbal comment. Over their heads, at irregular intervals, there were holes that if they led as King presumed into caves above, left not an inch of all the long passage that could not have been swept by rifle-fire. It was impregnable; for no artillery heavy enough to pound the mountain into pieces could ever be dragged within range. Whatever hiding place this entrance guarded could be held forever, given food and cartridges! The tunnel wound to right and left like a snake, growing lighter and lighter after each bend; and soon their own din began to be swallowed in a greater one that entered from the farther end. After two sharp turns they came out unexpectedly into the blaze of blue day, nearly stunned by light and sound. A road came up from below like that of an ocean in the grip of a typhoon. When his wits recovered from the shock, King struggled with a wild desire to yell, for before him, was what no servant of British India had ever seen and lived to tell about, and that is an experience more potent than unbroken rum.