"Since when?"
"Since the beginning."
"Why?"
"We were keepers of the treasure once years ago, before the English came. There came a time when the reigning rajah deceived us by a trick, including murder; and ever since the English took control the priests have had less and less authority. There has been no chance to— to bring any—to put pressure—to reestablish our rights. Nevertheless, our rights in the matter were never surrendered."
"What do you mean by that exactly?"
"The English are now the real rulers of Sialpore."
Samson nodded. That was a significant admission, coming from a
Brahman priest.
"They should claim the treasure. But they can not claim it without knowing where it is. The priests of Jinendra are entitled to their half."
"You mean you are willing that my government should take half the treasure, provided the priests of Jinendra get the other half of it?"
The priest moved his head and his lips in a way that might be taken to mean anything.