"Then listen," enjoined Ahmad, "and speak truly or a torch applied to thy feet may quicken thy understanding. Dost know in which tent the Rani sleeps to-night"?
As Bipin had not been to the camp, he was not possessed of the information, but under the circumstances he thought it best to withhold his ignorance. In any case, he reasoned, it was probable Ahmad would not place credence on his denial, and might carry his threat of the torch into effect.
"Certainly, great sir," he replied. "If it be thy desire, I am ready to point out the Rani's tent."
"Where is it situated"? Ahmad asked.
This was a difficult question for Bipin to answer off-hand. He hesitated a moment before he replied.
"Where is her tent placed"? Ahmad again demanded.
"Great Lord," stammered Bipin, "near to,—I mean on the right of that occupied by her Valaiti guard."
"Thou art assured of this"?
"Noble sir, why should I tell a lie"? Bipin questioned in return.
"Good, then," Ahmad resumed, bending a stern look on the secretary. "In two hours we set forth from the camp. When we arrive there, thou wilt point out the Rani's tent to one of my men. If thou hast spoken the truth, then thou canst go to the devil for aught I care; but if a lie, the Rani will herself have thee well beaten. It is her order that thou dost obey me in this," he added, in response to a surprised look on the secretary's face, "as she awaits a secret message that must fall into no other hands."