I would have stopped Shere Ali on his way up had I known." "But you don't think Shere Ali had this man murdered!" cried Linforth.
Ralston shrugged his shoulders.
"Why not?
What else was he waiting for from ten to eleven in the balcony above the well, except just for this news ?" He stopped for a moment, and went on again in a voice which was very grave.
"That seems to you horrible.

I am very much afraid that another thing, another murder much more horrible, will be announced down to me in the next few days.

The son of Abdulla Mahommed stood in Shere Ali's way a week ago and he is gone.

But the way is still not clear.

There's still another in his path." Linforth interpreted the words according to the gravity with which they were uttered.
"His father!" he said, and Ralston nodded his head.
"What can we do ?" he cried.