“Open the others,” said the Rajah; “open all.”
This was done one by one till all were laid open to the glare of the lamps; but all were empty, and Dick turned to Wyatt, giving him a peculiar look.
The next moment, without a word being uttered, the Rajah gave the order for a return to be made to the palace, and I lick turned to him.
“Not now,” he said; “I want to think.”
The party returned to the palace, the Rajah going straight to his audience-chamber after, in a few words, giving the two officers to understand that their attendance would not be welcome; and as they turned to reach the officers’ quarters, Dick said excitedly to his companion:
“Wyatt, I swear—”
“Don’t, my boy, nor say another word till you’ve had tiffin. I’ll say enough now for you and self: the old Brahmin’s too many for us—we’ve been tricked.”
Chapter XXXIX.
Dismissed.
Captain Hulton was waiting eagerly for the return of the two officers, fully aware that something was very wrong, but still in ignorance of its full bearing. The news of the hurried return of Sergeant Stubbs and the detachment had made the position appear more strange; and directly Wyatt and Dick entered his questioning began, and he heard everything that had occurred.