'Why, Hoosanee?'
'He is a proud man, and a man of high caste. He could not change his countenance or serve my lord with subtlety, as Hoosanee or Subdul Khan could do.'
'Is this your only reason for thinking that he is not the man to go with me?'
'What other reason——?'
'For Heaven's sake answer me directly. Have I not told you that my stock of patience is nearly at an end?'
'I have no other reason,' said Hoosanee with dignity.
'Then go, my good Hoosanee, go at once, without asking me a single question, and tell Ganesh that I want him.'
Casting a look of wonder, not unmixed with reproach, on his master, Hoosanee obeyed. He was away some two or three minutes, for Ganesh, who had been sleeping in one of the corridors, would not appear before his master without carefully adjusting his turban and girdle. These minutes were spent by Tom in pacing his room rapidly, trying by the strong physical exercise to stifle thoughts.
'What a time you have been!' he said, when Ganesh, who looked as dignified, watchful, and correct, as if sleep were an impossible weakness, stood before him.
'And yet I have made haste,' he said humbly. 'His Excellency is surely more impatient than usual?'