Despite his anxiety Philip could not resist a smile, partly of confidence, for no better proof of the Khân's resolution to bring Belle safely out of trouble could have been found than this unparalleled meekness. So they went on swiftly. Philip at the bridle-rein, the old Khân supporting Belle partly on his arm, partly by a dexterous arrangement of his scabbard, over which the old man chuckled as if in contented reminiscence of bygone days. "'Tis as I said, _Huzoor_," he remarked pointing to a red flush rising behind them. "That is the bungalow roof. 'Tis well she is out of it so far." Philip thinking of all the horrors of the past few hours, and contrasting them with his memories of Belle in her pretty home, clenched his hands, wishing _he_ were nearer. Perhaps the Khân's sympathy saw to his thought, for the old man went on in aggrieved tones, "And we get no good from it. Not even an honest set-to when the women are safe; for to-morrow the _tâhseeldar_[9] and the police will spoil sport. Besides, these shovel-diggers will be afraid of their own actions by dawn! Even now we are safe; safe as if we are driving down the watered road of a cantonment, our only care to convey this poor soul to woman's hands. _Inshallah!_ The women have the best of it in your reign, _Huzoor!_" "Well! some one will have to answer for the day's work," replied Philip grimly. "Some _one_. Ay, that is to-day's law, and even of that I know not," grumbled the Khân. "For look you, Râmu and none else killed the _sahib_, and I killed Râmu, so that is done. The rest were peaceable enough, God knows, and you hang not for the bursting of _bunds_ (dams) and burning of bungalows. There is no justice nowadays!" It was past midnight ere the pony pulled up of its own accord at a ruinous door, and the owner with mighty shouts and much impatient rattling of his sword-hilt on the panels roused the inmates. "Come forth, Fâtma," he cried to the white-sheeted form muttering faint excuses which appeared at length. "Heed not the stranger to-night,--Haiyât also. He is my brother, and this, look you, is my sister. We will carry her within to the women's room, and ye must see to her as women should, and bring us word of her state speedily. 'Tis best so, _Huzoor_; Fâtma is learned in woman's lore and hath simples. She will tell us if there be hurts or danger. For to-night the _mem_ had best stay here, since there is nought to be done save rest." "Not so, Khân _sahib_; I must return and see after--" The old Mussulman raised his right hand solemnly. "Let the dead rest in peace also for tonight, _Huzoor_. I saw Raby _sahib_ fall, and I know how dead clay toucheth the earth to which it returns. The knife struck home, _Huzoor_; right through the heart! Lo, it was Kismet! Raby _sahib_ is dead, but his slayer is dead also, so we, his comrades, may rest awhile till dawn comes." "I will wait till dawn," said Philip, "and hear what the women say."