"By mid-day to-morrow. It must be paid in to my account at the bank before twelve o'clock. You will have no difficulty in obtaining it I know. Your respectable merchant friends will do it for you if you but hold up your little finger. If they don't feel inclined, then put on the screw and make them."
She laughed as he paid this tribute to her power. A moment later, however, she was all gravity.
"And the security?"
He leant towards her and whispered in her ear.
"It is well," she replied. "The money shall be found for you to-morrow. Now tell me your plans; I must know all that you intend doing."
"In the first place," he answered, drawing a little closer to her, and speaking in a lower voice, so that no eavesdropper should hear, "I shall take with me Abdul Khan, Ram Gafur, Jowur Singh and Nur Ali, with others of less note as servants. I shall engage the best house in London, and under the wing of our gracious Viceroy, who has promised me the light of his countenance, will work my way into the highest society. That done, I shall commence operations. No one shall ever suspect!"
"And when it is finished, and you have accomplished your desires, how will you escape?"
"That I have not yet arranged. But of this you may be sure, I shall run no risks."
"And afterwards?"
He leant a little towards her again, and patted her affectionately upon the hand.