To his surprise and inward dismay, neither replied. They stood contemplating him in stern and hostile silence. He felt utterly nonplussed, especially having regard to the good treatment and hospitality which had been extended to him hitherto. Ah! the _mullah_ of course. That was it. He had been stirring up their fanatical animosity, and once touch that you never know where you are with an Oriental. There was the old villain over there, glaring at him with his beady eyes. "There has been a mistake, Nawab Sahib," began Raynier, perfectly cool and collected. "Yon holy man declares I spoke against the Prophet and his tomb, but it is not so. You who know me are aware I am not one to do any such thing. The _mullah_ is quite mistaken." But the stern hostility on the countenances of the chiefs relaxed not one atom--that upon those of their followers deepened, and mutterings of hate rumbled forth from the rows of grim and shaggy faces which encompassed him. Sinewy fingers instinctively tightened round sword hilts and rifle locks. Raynier went on,-- "Believers, although of another creed, we are all the children of one Father, for such is the teaching of the Prophet as revealed to him and set forth in the Holy Koran. And I have seen enough of the followers of the Prophet to respect their faith, and never have I uttered word against that faith--no, not even now. But yon _mullah_ cursed me and named me dog--me, the representative of the _Sirkar_. Should I accept that meekly, think you?" But all the reply that this drew was a deeper and renewed execration. "What of Allahyar Khan?" hissed the _mullah_ at the chief's side. "What of the Sirdar Allahyar Khan?" The effect upon the Nawab was as that of a sting. Yet he spoke coldly, as though striving to suppress the rage that consumed him. "Answer me, Raynier Sahib. Was General Raynier Sahib, who commanded troops at the time of the great rising thy father?" "Surely, Nawab Sahib. But that is a long past and forgotten misfortune. Why revive it?" "And he commanded the troops that came to Grampur after it had been reconquered?" It was impossible but that Raynier's natural perceptions, let alone his experience of Orientals, should have failed to convince him that here, and not in any tale told by the _mullah_, lay the secret of Mushim Khan's changed attitude towards him. Some of their people had been killed at that time, was the solution, and this rascally _mullah_ had stirred up the recollection. He knew how the blood feud can be tossed on from generation to generation among these mountain tribes. Still, there was only one answer possible. "I believe he did, Nawab Sahib," he answered. "But why rake up these dead and buried tales of strife?" "Dead and buried!" yelled Hadji Haroun, clasping and unclasping his claws. "Ya Mahomed! hear him. Dead and buried! What of Allahyar Khan--what of the dog who sent him defiled to his death, the father of this dog standing here?"