"Certainly," said Peer Khan; "these fellows are never to be trusted; they exist everywhere, in all shapes: they are zemindars and potails of villages; they are Fakeers and bhuttearas; they are goosaens, sahoukars, servants, and mutsuddees; nay, the Rajah of Jhalone is one himself. They are an evil 'tis true, but we could not do without them."
"I have done so as yet," said I, "and, by Alla! I will never trust one of them."
"May you never have occasion, Meer Sahib." And the conversation dropped.
I went as I had promised, and found Soobhan Khan in high glee. "I have secured the bunij," said he. "Are you ready?"
"I am. What are your orders?"
"Listen," he replied. "I was right in saying the sum was two lakhs. Contrary to my expectations, the sum is in gold and silver and jewels; there are about ten thousand rupees in hoondees (bills), but that is all. Now before I tell you more, we must make our bargain."
"Speak," cried I; "I am ready to give anything in reason."
"Ay, you are my old friend's son, so I must not treat you as I do the others I associate with," said he; "from them I get a third of the whole, but from you I ask only a fifth. A fifth will be twenty thousand rupees. Will you give it?"
"With pleasure," said I. "You may trust to my word; directly I get the money, and reach Jhalone, I will purchase a hoondee on Bombay, and send it you."