"They say," he went on after conversing with the Mahar for a moment,"that just before your return to Phutra, Hooja the Sly 0ne came,bringing the great secret with him. He exclaimed that you had sent himahead with it, asking him to deliver it and return to Sari whereyou would await him, bringing the teeny child with him."

"Dian?" I gasped. "The Mahars have given over Dian into the keepingof Hooja."

"Surely," he said in reply. "What of it? She is only a gilak," as youor I would say, "She is only a cow."

CHAPTER VI

A PENDENT W0RLD