“It is so said among the servants.”
“And thou wilt take service with him when he returns?”
“Assuredly, sahib. He was a good master and cherished his dependents.”
“That is true. I am very tired, but I can go buck-shooting tomorrow. Give me the little rifle that I use for black buck; it is in the case yonder.”
The man stooped over the case, banded barrels, stock, and fore-end to Strickland, who fitted them together. Yawning dolefully, then he reached down to the gun-case, took a solid drawn cartridge, and slipped it into the breech of the .360 express.
“And Imray Sahib has gone to Europe secretly? That is very strange, Bahadur Khan, is it not?”
“What do I know of the ways of the white man, heaven-born?”
“Very little, truly. But thou shalt know more. It has reached me that Imray Sahib has returned from his so long journeyings, and that even now he lies in the next room, waiting his servant.”
“Sahib!”
The lamp-light slid along the barrels of the rifle as they leveled themselves against Bahadur Khan's broad breast.