"It is a bear I need, not blood!" The dozen left inside to guard the palace had recovered quickly enough from their panic.

They were lining up in the middle of the courtyard, ready to defend their honor, even if the palace should be lost.

It was barely probable that Jaimihr's temper would permit them the privilege of dying quickly should he come and find his palace looted; a Rangar's sword seemed better, and they made ready to die hard.
"Where's Ali Partab ?" There was no answer.

The little crowd drew in, and one by one took up the fighting attitude that each man liked the best.
"I say I did not come for blood! I came for Ali Partab! If I get him, unharmed, I ride away again; but otherwise--" "What otherwise ?" asked the captain of the guard.
"This palace burns!" There was a momentary consultation--no argument, but a quickly reached agreement.
"He is here, unharmed," declared the captain gruffly.
"Bring him out!" "What proof have we that he is all you came for ?" "My given word." "But the Jaimihr-sahib--" "You also have my given word that unless I get Ali Partab this palace burns, with all that there is in it!" Distrustful still, the captain of the guard called out to a sweeper, skulking in the shadow by the stables to go and loose Ali Partab.
"Send no sweepers to him!" ordered Alwa.

"He has suffered indignity enough.