"Then I shall see you there?"
A nod. "I start to-night, as I must reach Shingtse-lunpo in advance of you. Oh, as I said, I come and go as the wind, when and where I will, and depending upon no man! But I do not go as Sarojini Nanjee.... Just before you reach Tali-fang—it will not be necessary until then—Masein, your Lisu guide, will help you effect a transformation from a white man to a Hindu merchant from Mandalay. White skins are not popular in that region. You speak Hindustani as well as some Hindus, better than others. Avoid the natives as much as possible, for they are not over-fond of any one who is not of their race. If asked whither you go, say to a holy city in Tibet."
Silence settled for a moment after that. They were more than a mile from Myitkyina, and the silver coins still glittered and danced in midstream.
"D'you think," he began at length, "if the Government knew I was going into Tibet, it would approve?"
She shrugged. "Why not? It was understood at Delhi that you were to do as I directed; go wherever I willed."
"Suppose—" But he halted.
"Yes?"
"Suppose I am killed in Tibet?"
"But you will not be."
"You said there would be dangers."