"But I may not be willing to accept that."
"Then do what you choose," was the defiant response. "You may kill us all, but that will not give you the diamond; you may slay me and every one of the Feringhees, but that will not help you to find the diamond for which you have sighed so long, nor will you and the Ghoojurs get much plunder from our bodies. Even if you keep your promise, there remain many miles to be passed before the Feringhees can be beyond danger. It may be that if the diamond is paid to you, it will only avert their death for a few hours, since there are others who will hunt them like tigers in the jungle. But I am willing to do what I promised: if you will withdraw all your men so far away that the Feringhees may have a long start, I will place in your palm the Star of India."
Wana Affghar breathed fast, for already he saw the diamond in his possession. He was in such a mood that he was ready to accept almost any proposition.
"Tell me, Luchman, more plainly what you want me to do."
"You must take all of your men two miles to the southward: I will go with them. You must stay there till twelve o'clock tonight. Then you shall have the Star of India."
Here were the conditions at last. If Wana Affghar and all his Ghoojurs should withdraw for a distance of two miles, and stay there till midnight, the Europeans in the temple would be given all the start they could ask or want. By following the directions of Luchman they could place themselves beyond danger from this particular band. The guide would keep the company of the brigands, as he had proposed, so as to make sure that every condition was fully met before he surrendered the gem.
True, this plan would leave him in a terrible position, but he cared naught for that.
Having made his proposition, Luchman added, indifferently:
"Do as you choose, Wana Affghar, for it makes little difference to me. We have water and provisions in the temple, and we may have help before long from the British cavalry, who are galloping through the country. It is hard for me to give up the Star of India, for which I have risked my life many times. But the ladies are impatient, and I come to you to show the only way by which your eyes can ever rest upon the diamond for which you have hunted so long."
Beyond question, Luchman understood the art of putting things. He made as if to move away, when the Ghoojur chieftain interrupted him: