gamble,--and first they go to Yasmini's. But she won't let 'em drink at her place. Have to give her credit for that, y'know; her place has never been a stews. Sooner or later they grow tired of virtue, 'specially with so much intrigue goin' on under their noses, and back they all drift to Ali's and tell him tales to tell the Germans--and the round begins again. Yasmini coaxes all their stories out of 'em and primes 'em with a few extra good ones into the bargain. Everybody's fooled--'specially the Germans--and exceptin', of course, Yasmini and the Raj. Nobody ever fooled that woman, nor ever will if my belief goes for anything!”
“Sounds simple!” said King.
“Simple and sordid!” agreed Saunders.
King looked up and down the line of locked doors and then straight into Saunders' eyes in a friendly, yet rather disconcerting way. One could not judge whether he were laughing or just thinking.
“D'you suppose it's as simple as all that?”
“How d'you mean?”
“D'you suppose the Germans aren't in direct touch with the tribes?”
“Why should they be? The simpler the better, I expect, from their point of view; and the cheaper the better, too!”
“Um-m-m!” King rubbed his chin. “On what charge did you get these men?”
“Defense of the Realm--suspicious characters--charge to be entered later.”
“Good! That's simple at all events! Know anything of my man Ismail?”
“Sure! He's one of Yasmini's pets. She bailed him out of Ali's three years ago and he worships her. It was he who broke the leg and ribs of a pup-rajah a month or two ago for putting on too much dog in her reception room! He's Ursus out of Quo Vadis! He's dog, desperado, stalking horse and Keeper of the Queen's secrets!”
“Then why d'you suppose she passed him along to me?” asked King.
“Dunno! This is your little mystery, not mine!”
“Glad you appreciate that! Do me a favor, will
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