“I wish Robson would give the Wazir and that sanctified old Brahmin a dose of his strongest stuff.”
“To poison them?” said Dick.
“Poison! Bah! No. To make ’em both ill for six months. What shall we do, Hulton? Go and insist upon having an interview with this baby?”
“No,” replied Hulton after a minute’s silence. “Have everything ready for emergencies, and then wait to see how matters turn.”
“Hallo! Who’s this?” cried Wyatt, for there were steps outside, and an orderly announced the captain of the Rajah’s guard, who was ushered in, looking very stern.
“Nice business this!” said Wyatt in his bluff way, for, since the night of the attempted poisoning, they two had been on the friendly terms that would bring two brave men into a state of mutual respect.
“I come from his highness,” said the Rajah’s officer. “His commands are that the English sahibs and their men leave here directly, and take up their quarters in the old palace till he has decided what steps to take; and I and my men are to see these orders executed now—at once.”
“Dismissed like bad servants,” cried Hulton indignantly.
“But suppose we won’t go, old fellow?” said Wyatt to the officer.
“Then, sir, we must fight,” said the officer, with a shrug of his shoulders. “It is sad; but I command the Rajah’s guard, and I must do my duty.”