"I see no reason why I should not get an angry husband out of the way so simply! But remember, Ayisha, you must slay me in turn if you hope to have Jimgrim for husband.

By my beard and the Prophet's feet* it is I who will have you to wife, if I have to burn kingdoms first!" -- -------- * A scandalous piece of blasphemy -- -------- "Give me the poison first, and we shall see," she laughed.
"Very well; leave us for a while, Ayisha.

I will persuade this master of mine, who has a vein of caution, since he lacks the zeal of love.

I will bring you the stuff when he and I have talked it over." "Strong, strong stuff," she insisted.

"Stuff that would eat iron.
Ali Higg's belly is tough." "It shall come out through his flesh like flame," the Sikh promised.
As soon as she had gone, and he had watched her out of earshot, he turned to me with a gruff laugh.
"Now, sahib, make her up a potion of some harmless powder for me to carry to her tent while you go and tell our Jimgrim what has passed.