"Nay, more, that the Asylum of the Faith—the King himself—was there also. At least—at least——"
Fazil saw Jehándar Beg was not sure. It was a mere guess, for which there was perhaps suspicion, but he laughed aloud and replied, "A good joke, Meerza Sahib; perhaps they say I was with him!"
"Well," returned the Kótwal, wagging his head, "the fact is, they do; and perhaps you were, my young friend. Let me see; his highness is about your own age. When I was as old I remember the Shah, with some others of us, used to have frolics now and then in the bazars of Isfahan. Ah, Meah, there were——"
Fazil made a gesture, as if his father, who was sitting bolt upright, with his eyes shut, might not like to hear the remainder.
"Yes," continued the Kótwal, "if ye did go, what matter?"
"I have before said that Bulwunt Rao was my companion, not the King; and the rest you know of," interrupted the young Khan.
"Not all, Meah; but we are out of court now, and I am quite sure of my young friend's good faith to let me know anything that concerns the state interests, the King, or the Wuzeer; and so, Meah Sahib, if we could examine those papers together——"
"Ah, yes! the papers, Meerza, you would not understand them—they were Mahratta."
"But we could find a Karkoon to read them, and you are known to speak that language, Meah?"
"True, Meerza Sahib, I do; but the papers are not here——"