"It is our ticket, all right." Chandra grinned. "Three tickets for bus tomorrow. I ask and I get them. So we go along with big crowd, and nobody will guess who we are."
Since the students were all from Indian schools located in New Delhi and elsewhere, Chandra and Kamuka decided to stay in their European clothes; but Biff, somewhat to his annoyance, had to switch back to his Sikh costume. Otherwise he would be spotted for an American and perhaps for himself, Biff Brewster, if some keen observer happened to be looking for him.
"I suppose any Sikh students will be wearing their native garb, too," commented Biff, "like the railroad guards on the train. So don't let them spot me for a phony the way that man with the fake beard did on the Howrah bus."
"Funny thing," said Chandra, "I keep thinking about him every now and then, I don't know just why. But don't worry. Kamuka and I will talk to people so they won't bother you."
The bus tickets were simply cards that said Student in English and its equivalent in Hindi characters. They were accepted without question, and the boys took seats well back in the bus, which was nearly full when it started. All was fine until they stopped at a building where Biff looked up and saw a flag with three vertical stripes—red, white, and green.
"You've made a mistake, Chandra," Biff groaned. "This can't be the
American Embassy. That's not the United States flag."
"It must be," argued Chandra. "Lots of countries change their flags.
Maybe your country changes its flag, too."
"No, we don't change the United States flag."
From the bus window, Biff saw the flag flutter slightly, and now he noticed the emblem of an eagle on the white stripe.
"That's the Mexican flag," exclaimed Biff. As a sudden thought struck him, he asked, "Just what did that list say, Chandra?"