"For the love of Mahadeo, for the love of Bhowani, by your fathers' heads! no blood-shedding here, good sirs!" cried the keeper of the house imploringly, passing between them, and stretching out his hands deprecatingly to each in turn. "I shall be ruined! fined!--they will hang me! Hold! there will be blood shed. Help! help!" he shrieked in a frantic manner, seeing Tannajee advance a step. Hearing his cries and the altercation, two men rushed from the inner apartment with drawn weapons, and would have attacked the others at once, but Tannajee withheld them. "Peace!" he cried; "put down your weapons, friends. Peace, bold youth!" he continued to Bulwunt Rao; "you have run a fearful risk unmoved, which you do not know of. Who are you?" he asked rapidly. "A Gosai: I have said it already," replied the other. "A disciple of what teacher?" "How are you to know, even if I tell it truly, who my Gooroo is?" returned Bulwunt. "Is Bussunt Geer of Tooljapoor known to you?" "Ha! Bussunt Geer of Tooljapoor? but his cheyla is Poorun Geer, not thou?" "Maharaj, it is true; but I am the younger. Poorun Geer stays with the Gooroo." "And your name?" "As-Geer." "When were you made a cheyla?" "About a year ago; and I was at Bhaga Nugger and Golconda till lately; in the house there." "And what has brought you here?" "I do not answer questions except upon the Gooroo's business," replied Bulwunt haughtily. "Good, thou art discreet, O Babajee! And thy companion?" "He is a novitiate under a vow of silence for a year." "Good. Let there be peace between us for a while, till I prove thee true or false." Bulwunt was about to make a passionate reply, when the imploring look of Fazil met his eye. It seemed to say, Go on with this deception; and, after a moment's thought, Bulwunt Rao determined to do so, and to refrain from violence so long as it suited his purpose. Ready himself to strike if needful, he might be able to throw Tannajee off his guard. "Listen," continued Tannajee; "by one question I shall know if thou art true or false. If true, well for thee, Baba; if false, by the holy 'Máta!' hadst thou ten men's lives, and ten others to back thee, thou shouldst die like a dog." "That is easier to say than to do," returned Bulwunt in a contemptuous tone. "I have seen enough of bullies at Bhaga Nugger to fear big words. But speak; if I can answer your question, well; if not, what is in my hand may reply to anything further." Maloosray laughed aloud--a short bitter laugh, very grating to hear. "How much ganja hast thou smoked, O Baba?" he asked with a sneer; "but stay, this is folly. If thou art Poorun Geer's cheyla, thou knowest Pahar Singh?" "What Pahar Singh?--him of Itga?" "The same: we call him of Allund." "The Hazaree?" "Ay--Hazaree, robber, Gosai, murderer, if thou wilt. If he is known to thee, why ask? By Khundôba! I distrust this fellow," he added to the two others, who closed up to him; "why did he ask?"