"And if I agree?"
"She will be returned to India, unharmed and with the proper escort."
"How can I be sure of that?"
"She will write to you from Darjeeling."
"You forget the councillor, Na-chung."
"We shall find him," Hsien Sgam stated confidently.
"Dead," Trent added. "He is hidden—hidden where you'll not easily find him. My muleteers are there—with instructions—and if they have not heard from me by midnight, they'll put an end to Na-chung."
Hsien Sgam continued to smile. "You will countermand that order," he said evenly.
"No," declared Trent, quite as evenly.
They faced each other for a space of seconds, neither speaking. Then the Mongol announced: