Only the English and the troops have crept nearer.

Now this stranger talks of his Tsar and how an army will come through the passes, and foreigner will fight with foreigner.

This talk, too, I have heard.

Once there came a man with a red beard who spoke thus, and he went down to Bardur, and lo! our men told me that they saw him hanged there for a warning.
Let foreigner war on foreigner if they please, but what have we to do in the quarrel, my children?
Ye owe nothing to either." The stranger regarded the speaker with calm eyes of amusement.
"Nothing," said he, "except that we have fed you and armed you.

By your own acts you are the servants of my master." The mullah was rapidly working himself into a frenzy.