“I am a Hakim (native physician.). The Sahib must not talk,” was the answer, ignoring the first part of the question. This the patient did not fail to notice.
“That is all right, Hakim Sahib”—Raynier was always polite in his address with natives, and if they had any title or rank never failed to give them the benefit of it. “But what I want to know is, where am I?”
The question was asked with some impatience. The doctor, seeing that he was likely to become excited, which would be highly prejudicial to the patient, and therefore equally so to his own interest, replied,—
“You are in the house of his Greatness the Nawab.”
“What?” almost shouted Raynier.
“In the house of the Nawab Mahomed Mushîm Khan,” repeated the Hakim.
“Oh, then, I am in good hands. The Nawab and I are friends. Is the Miss Sahib here too?”
Even if the doctor had not turned away to conceal it, Raynier would not have noticed the strange look which had come over his face, as indeed how should he?
“Yes, yes,” was the hurried answer. “Now the Sahib must not talk any more.”
“But I must see her if only for a minute. She will come, I know. Bring her to me, Hakim Sahib, then I will be as quiet as you wish.”