The heaven-born knows all things. I am the
servant of the heaven-born."
Strickland looked at me above the rifle, and said, in the vernacular: "Thou art
witness to this saying. He has killed."
Bahadur Khan stood ashen grey in the light of the one lamp. The need for
justification came upon him very swiftly.
"I am trapped," he said, "but the offence was that man's. He cast an evil eye
upon my child, and I killed and hid him. Only such as are served by devils," he
glared at Tietjens, crouched stolidly before him, "only such could know what I
did."
"It was clever. But thou shouldst have lashed him to the beam with a rope. Now,
thou thyself wilt hang by a rope. Orderly!"
A drowsy policeman answered Strickland's call. He was followed by another, and
Tietjens sat still.
"Take him to the station," said Strickland. "There is a case toward."
"Do I hang, then?" said Bahadur Khan, making no attempt to escape and keeping
his eyes on the ground.
"If the sun shines, or the water runs, thou wilt hang," said Strickland.
Bahadur Khan stepped back one pace, quivered, and stood still. The two
policemen waited further orders.
"Go!" said Strickland.
"Nay; but I go very swiftly," said Bahadur Khan. "Look! I am even now a dead
man.
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