“Master,” says he, “we have met before.”
“Nay?” says the viscount, speaking lightly, though his countenance changed somewhat. “I han’t no recollection on’t. Where was it that we met, old man?”
“In the hole of the Mountain-Rat,” says the Brachmine, meaning that strong place or fortress of Seva Gi’s called Rairey.
“Is’t possible?” saith my friend. “I can’t yet call your face to mind. Stay,—is it indeed Vincaly Row[127]?”
“I am he,” says the old man, not without pride.
“I had not looked to find Seva Gi’s chief friend and manager alone and disguised in the Mogul’s country,” says the viscount. “Sure you can’t have forgot that jest of the courtiers which said that where Vincaly Row was found, there Seva Gi himself might be looked for not long after?”
“That jest is still true,” said the old man. “I am here, and my lord an’t far behind me.”
“What! in the Mogul’s dominions?” cried my friend.
“If he ben’t in ’em yet, he soon will be,” says the Brachmine.
“Is he marching on Dhilly?” asked my friend, his eyes flashing. “Sure here will be feats of arms such as the world hath rarely seen. I am well pleased to find myself here at such a time.”