‘And what said he?’
‘He was haughty at first, and it was hard to hear how he spoke of thee, O Sultaun!’
The monarch gnashed his teeth. ‘Ya Alla! grant me power to chastise those who mock thy favourite,’ he cried, looking up devoutly. ‘But thou gavest the letter?’
‘I did.’
‘And the bills for money?’
‘Yes; he said he would forward that to the Prince at Hyderabad.’
‘And will he fight against me? will he not come over at once and desert them?’
‘He dare not; but he will be neutral, I think. But he is well where he is: his presence is a burthen to the kafir Feringhees; they wish him—anywhere. His men devour the forage, and they starve. Ha! ha! ha!’
‘Good, Jaffar. Now listen; those prisoners, Jaffar—the boys—the cursed Feringhees know of them and the others.’
‘Let them not trouble you, Light of the Earth! Your poor slave has, Inshalla! done some service.’