"Since you gave me an option, I say, not at all!"
"I have it!" clapping her hands, "photography,—that will take you anywhere and everywhere—short of a zenana."
"By Jove, a splendid idea! and I can photograph a bit. I'll buy a camera to-morrow, and if this clue pans out all right, I'll take to the road, as a travelling photographer."
"Beware, that the road does not take you," she answered gravely. "We shall soon have the hot weather upon us, and you little know, what that means—yet! You will keep Anthony, of course?"
"Yes, and I suppose I'll have to give him a peep behind the scenes, eh?"
"Quite unnecessary! He knows all your secrets, perhaps not every detail, but I'm sure he suspects that you have some mysterious business out here. No doubt your affairs are exhaustively discussed in the cook-house, and the bazaar. Natives are so vitally interested in us, and our concerns. We are always on the stage—they are the audience. I dare say Anthony has met, and exchanged confidences with your baboo—or baboon! Anthony has an inquisitive eye, but you can trust him. I advise you to tell him your plans, put him on his honour, swear him to secrecy—with a promise of rupees. He will enjoy the enterprise enormously! since secrecy and intrigue are naturally in his bones, in fact, he ought to accept half wages. Anyway, I believe you will find him quite a useful Sherlock Holmes. Ah, here they all come, back from the golf links. Mrs. Villars and Sir William leading the van, the Wylies with Fan—so I will leave you to listen to the tale of their triumphs, their scores, their drives, and how someone 'foozled,' and someone swore! Good-bye!" and with a gay nod, Nancy Brander carried her slim well-tailored figure, and smiling face, out of the verandah.
That same evening as he was dressing for dinner, Mallender took Anthony into his confidence.
"I understand that you are trustworthy," he began abruptly, "and so I am going to tell you something that you are to keep strictly to yourself."
"Oh, yes, saar, certainly, saar," he answered with unexpected fervour, "Master going to be married."
"No—you fool! See if the door is shut."