CHAPTER XII
THE MAHARAJAH'S CHOICE
A dramatic episode followed the examination of the airship's bill of lading by the pseudo monarch and his so-called chancellor of the exchequer, Carl, who aided his master in the task.
"Item one. What does that consist of?" asked the brigand.
"Mails. His Britannic Majesty's mails," replied the chancellor.
"Where from?"
"From India for Egypt and London," replied Carl, maintaining a grave and solemn deportment.
"H'm! They may pass when the usual tribute is paid," remarked the bandit in serious tones, as though he had delivered himself of some weighty pronouncement.
The judge looked at the colonel with raised eyebrows when he heard this strange decision, but the captain, forgetting his position for a moment, blurted out:--
"Tribute indeed? When did the King of England pay tribute for his mails to be carried across the Hamadian desert?"