He had a message for the Chief from the god Bhyroo who galloped at night on a black horse, and the message had to do with the decoits, for if they were successful they could make offering to the priests at the temple of Bhowanee, for in her service decoity was an honourable occupation and of great antiquity.

Hunsa and Sookdee had come to sit on their heels, and as they listened they knew that the wily old Dewan had sent the yogi so that it could not be said that he, the Minister, had told them this thing.

A rich jewel merchant of Delhi was then at Poona on his way to the Nizam’s court.  He had a wealth of jewels—­pearls the size of a bird’s egg, emeralds the size of a betel nut, and diamonds that were like stars.  This was true for the merchant had paid the duty as he passed the border into Mahrattaland.

Ajeet gave the yogi two rupees for food, though, viewing the animated skeleton, it seemed a touch of irony.

Then the jamadars considered the message so deeply wrapped in mysticism.  Hunsa unhesitatingly declared that the yogi was a messenger from the Dewan, and if they did not take advantage of it they would perhaps have to fare forth on lean stomachs and in disgrace—­perhaps would be beaten by the Mahratta sepoys—­undoubtedly they would.

Sookdee backed up the jamadar.

“Very well,” declared Ajeet, “we will go on this mission.  But remember this, Hunsa, that if there is treachery, if we are cast into the hands of the Dewan, I swear by Bhowanee that I will have your life.”

“Treachery!” It was the snarl of an enraged animal, and Hunsa sprang to his feet.  He whirled, and facing Sookdee, said:  “Let Bhowanee decide who is traitor—­let Ajeet and me take the ordeal.”

“That is but fair,” Sookdee declared.  “The ordeal of the heated cannon ball will surely burn the hand of the traitor if there is one,” and he looked at Ajeet; and though suspicious that this was still another trap, Ajeet without cowardice could not decline.

“I will take the ordeal,” he declared.

“We will take the ordeal to-night,” Hunsa said; “and we should prepare with haste the method of the decoity, for the merchant may pass, and we must take the road in a proper disguise.  There is the village to be decided upon where he will rest in his journey, and many things.”

Even Ajeet was forced to acquiesce in this.

Boastfully Hunsa declared:  “The ordeal will prove that I am thinking only of our success.  This method of livelihood has been our profession for generations, and yet when we are in the protection of the powerful Dewan Ajeet says I am a traitor to our salt.”

For an hour they discussed the best manner of sallying forth in a way that would leave them unsuspected of robbing.  One of their favourite methods was adopted; to go in a party of twenty or thirty as mendicants and bearers of the bones of relatives to the waters of the sacred Ganges.  No doubt the yogi would accompany them as their priest, especially if well paid for the service.