"The show of Burton Sahib is some distance from here, but I will tell you how to find it. The cobra will help you join it, for Burton Sahib is always watching for performers. You must learn to do better with this cobra. By performing with the serpent before Burton Sahib, you will please him. He must have some one to take care of the elephant, Rajah. You will apply for the place. Ha! Do you follow me?"
Dhondaram nodded.
"When you have applied for the place I will tell you what to do. The air machine must be wrecked. Rajah will do that. The feringhi boy must be put where he will not interfere with my plans for my niece—the cobra must do that."
Dhondaram stirred restlessly.
"The law of this country," he murmured, "has a long arm and a heavy fist."
"If you do as I say," went on Ben Ali, "you will not be reached by the arm nor caught by the fist. You will be safe, and so will I; and the vow of Ben Ali will have been carried out."
"You cannot do this yourself?"
"I should be seized if I showed my face again in the show of Burra Burton! I should be thrown into the strong house of the feringhis if I appeared among the tents. Motor Matt has said this, and he has the power to carry out his threat."
"Had Motor Matt the power to do this when he saved Haidee?"
"He had."