'Who are you?' demanded the ex-Subadar-Major.
'Sookham Lall, a budmash, in want of a captain.'
'From whence?'
'Jubbulpore, last.'
'Jubbulpore! What are the cursed Kafirs doing there?'
Bill described in somewhat exaggerated terms the fortification and garrison of the Residency.
'We may bring guns against it,' said Buktawur.
'They too have got guns,' replied Bill, though he knew that the Residency could no more stand a bombardment than a house of cards.
'And now, what do you want here?' asked Buktawur, his black beady eyes gleaming suspiciously.
'To kill your Christian prisoners, just to keep my hand in,' replied Bill, grinding his teeth; 'you have twenty, I understand.'