"Wana tells me to urge you to surrender, since it is the only thing that will save the lives of yourself and the Feringhees with you."
"Why is that?"
"You see the large numbers we have; we can kill you all whenever Wana gives the word."
"Why does he hesitate?"
"Wana Affghar is merciful, and he will not do so until you refuse the offer I bring you."
"If I surrender, what then?"
"Wana asks as a condition that you shall yield to him a diamond that you have stolen."
"And if I do, what then?"
"He will spare your lives, and give you safe escort to Kurnal, whither you are traveling from Delhi."
Could Luchman of a certainty have known that this offer was honest and would be carried out, he would have accepted it. The Star of India was a treasure almost beyond price, and would have been an extravagant ransom for a king or emperor, but it was not so valuable as one's own life.