"Lord Protector of the Poor," replied the boy deferentially. "My father bade me seek thee urgently with the message that thou art to repair to his house, without fail, two hours after sunset."
"Thy father bade thee tell me that I am to come to his house two hours after sunset," repeated Bipin reflectively. "Did he say for what purpose, dutiful son of Mohurran Goshi"?
"Not he, great sir," replied the boy, salaaming.
Bipin thought for a moment. It was possible that the astrologer had discovered a charm that would forever confound the machinations of the accursed Hindu noble.
"What answer shall I take from the great Secretary Raja"? asked the boy with a twinkle of innate cunning.
Bipin gazed approvingly on the lad who flattered his vanity by the use of such high sounding titles.
"Thou art a well favored youth," he remarked, "and properly trained in the respect due to people of importance. Go, tell thy learned father, that I will be at his door at the hour appointed."
As Bipin took a step forward the boy again interposed his person with outstretched hand.
"A present, Secretary Raja," he cried. "A present."