“Ephraim says,” began the tallest of the nine, who had entered first and stood now nearest to Kagig and the firelight, “that you will yourself be king of Armenia!”

“Ephraim lies!” said Kagig grimly.  “He always does lie.  That man can not tell truth!”

Two of the others grunted, and nudged the first man, who made an exclamation of impatience and renewed the attack.

“But there is the Turk—­the colonel whom your Indian friend took prisoner—­he says—­”

“Pah!  What Turk tells the truth?”

“He says that the Indian—­what is his name?  Rustum Khan—­was purposing to use him as prisoner-of-war, whereas in accordance with a private agreement made beforehand you were determined to make matters easy for him.  He demands of us better treatment in fulfilment of promise.  He says that the army is coming to take Zeitoon, and to make you governor in the Sultan’s name.  He offered us that argument thinking we are your dupes.  He thought to—­”

“Dupes?” snarled Kagig.  “How long have ye dealt with Turks, and how long with me, that ye take a Turk’s word against mine?”

“But the Turk thought we are your friends,” put in a harsh-voiced man from the rear of the delegation.  “Otherwise, how should he have told us such a thing?”

“If he had thought you were my friends,” Kagig answered, “he would never have dared.  If you had been my friends, you would have taken him and thrown him into Jihun River from the bridge!”

“Yet he has said this thing,” said a man who had not spoken yet.

“And none has heard you deny it, Kagig!” added the man nearest the door.

“Then hear me now!” Kagig shouted, on tiptoe with anger.  Then he calmed himself and glanced about the room for a glimpse of eyes friendly to himself.  “Hear me now.  Those Turks—­truly come to set a governor over Zeitoon.  I forgot that the prisoner might understand English.  I talked with this friend of mine—­he made a gesture toward Monty.  “Perhaps that Turk overheard, he is cleverer than he looks.  I had a plan, and I told it to my friend.  The Turk was near, I remember, eating the half of my dinner I gave him.”

“Have you then a plan you never told to us?” the first man asked suspiciously.

“One plan?  A thousand!  Am I wind that I should babble into heedless ears each thought that comes to me for testing?  First it was my plan to arouse all Armenia, and to overthrow the Turk.  Armenia failed me.  Then it was my plan to arouse Zeitoon, and to make a stand here to such good purpose that all Armenia would rally to us.  Bear me witness whether Zeitoon trusted me or not?  How much backing have I had?  Some, yes; but yours?

“So it was plain that if the Turks sent a great army, Zeitoon could only hold out for a little while, because unanimity is lacking.  And my spies report to me that a greater army is on the way than ever yet came to the rape of Armenia.  These handful of hamidieh that ye think are all there is to be faced are but the outflung skirmishers.  It was plain to me that Zeitoon can not last.  So I made a new plan, and kept it secret.”