'If I confide in you,' said Tom, 'will you obey me blindly? Come, yes or no? I have had enough of arguments.'
'I am, as I have always been, his Honour's servant,' said Hoosanee with dignity.
'I suppose I must be contented with that,' said Tom, smiling grimly. 'Will you be silent?'
'As silent as the grave, my master.'
'Come, that at least has the merit of directness. You know Ganesh? Do you consider that you know him well?'
'I have known him for many years, Excellency.'
'You have reason to believe that he is a faithful servant?'
'Why does my lord——?'
'We may come to that presently. Answer my question before you put questions of your own.'
'Master, I have no wish and no reason to blacken the face of my fellow-servant before your Highness, but if my lord looks for a companion in this adventure it is not Ganesh that he should choose.'