"I would do him no harm," said Pahar Singh to the Secretary, "but it is as well to be certain in case of treachery;" and he drew a small dagger from his girdle with his left hand, and held it in an attitude to strike into the King. "Go, if the money is here; bring it quickly; but beware of any attempt to rescue him, or you will cause his death. You could not reach me ere I had struck him down. Go then, Meerza Sahib, my friend Maun Singh will bring the bags: he is strong enough."
"Go, friend," said the King, "do as he says. If the people ask questions, say I am safe, and will be with them presently."
"And leave thee with him!" said the Meerza, anxiously. "I will not stir; there is peril, and my place is beside thee."
"There is no peril if ye are true," said Pahar Singh; "much, if ye are false. Go!"
"Go, friend, I will trust him; his object is money, not my poor life. Go! I am not afraid of him, nor he of me," said the King.
"How noble he is!" whispered Fazil to his companion.
Both would have given all they possessed to have been by the King's side to have struck down the ruffian.
"Ay, Meah, I would we were by his side," returned Bulwunt. "Who can he be? Whoever he may be, he is indeed fearless; but he will not be harmed if they bring the money. Hush! they may speak again."
The Meerza turned silently to go, and descended the step, accompanied by Maun Singh.
"Come," said the latter to the Lalla; "help to carry the bags, good man; it will save me another journey. Come!"