All the way up the line he had been watching the far hills of Cashmere, and repeating to himself, "At last! At last!" The words had been a song at his heart, tuned to the jolt and rhythm of the wheels.

Ralston of Peshawur had asked for him.

So much he had been told.

His longing had explained to him why Ralston of Peshawur had asked for him, and easily he had believed the explanation.

He was a Linforth, one of the Linforths of the Road.