"Before you ring for my guards," he explained, "I have business with you."
Brand smiled at the man's audacity.
"Of course,"—his Highness lighted a cigarette—"you share our common sorrow at this grave crisis?"
"No, sir, we have nothing in common."
"I observe," the Prince laughed, "that the sea-eagle wastes few regrets over a panic of gulls."
"Am I to be one of your eagles, or one of your gulls, Prince Ali?"
"Of the gulls? No." He shrugged his shoulder. "You are King of the air, as I am of India!"
"I supposed," said Brand, gravely, "that her Majesty was Empress of India."
"Was Empress, yes. I see we understand one another."
"I think, my dear Prince, that I follow your meaning. So India finds her opportunity in this crisis? May I venture to ask if you speak on behalf of Russia?"