They had heard nothing, and they met me always with salutations and greetings.

Then came the day when I rode up the valley and a Mullah who had smiled the day before passed me as though he had not noticed me at all.

The news had come.

I was sure of it at the time.

I reined in my horse and called sharply to one of the servants riding behind me, 'Who is that ?' The Mullah heard the question, and he turned and up went the palm of his hand to his forehead in a flash.