Through the interpreter Nick quickly explained his business, and saw a look of surprise appear on the face of Pandu Singe when inquiries were made about the loss of a snake.
It took Nick but a short time to learn what he desired. Precisely as he expected, the Hindoo had missed one of his snakes about ten days before, one of the most venomous and dangerous of the lot.
Hearing no reports or complaints about the missing reptile, however, Pandu Singe had come to the conclusion that the snake had died in the den and then been devoured by one of his companions in captivity. So the Hindoo had let the matter drop, and had said nothing about it.
Nick did not disclose the true occasion for his inquiries, but invented a satisfactory explanation, and at the end of a quarter of an hour the two detectives departed and entered their waiting carriage.
"Rather a dignified chap, after all, that Pandu Singe," laughed Chick, as they settled themselves on the cushions.
"True," admitted Nick, thoughtfully. "Do you think, Chick, that we could make up to pass for those two swarthy Orientals?"
"Could we!" exclaimed Chick, promptly. "Well, Nick, I should say that we could."
"I think so, too."
"You could do the snake charmer, all right, and easily gabble a lingo that would pass for his."
"Well, rather," laughed Nick.