The Rani stepped close to the officer and scrutinized his features. Then she grasped him tightly by the sleeve of his jacket.
"Thou art the Jamadar Golab Das"? she interrogated.
"As thou sayest, noble Rani."
"Tell me, O Golab," she besought anxiously. "Have they heard? Have the eyes of the Foreigners been opened? Hath a traitor whispered in their ears"?
"They sleep on, all thy people are faithful," the officer returned significantly.
A sigh of relief escaped the Rani's lips.
"It is well," she exclaimed. "Then I will see the Foreign Sahibs. Go, carry them that message."
The officer again saluted and left her presence.
As if a sudden inspiration had gained possession of the Rani's mind, she turned to Ahmad and spoke authoritatively.