"Eh—I was wondering—eh—whether you would be content to—eh—take your working party and—eh—do a little work for me elsewhere?"
"I'm right set on puzzling out this fault in the reef," Dick answered promptly.
"My contract reads—"
"For compensation, of course," said Gungadhura. "You would be adequately—eh—there could be a contract drawn."
"I wouldn't cancel this one—not for hard cash," Dick retorted.
"No, no. I do not ask that. It would—eh—not be necessary."
"Well, then, what's the proposal?"
Dick settled himself back against the masonry crossed his feet, and knocked out ashes from his pipe. The maharajah walked twice, ten yards toward the entrance and back again.
"How long would it take you—eh—to—eh—what was it you said?—to puzzle out this fault?"
"No knowing."
"A short—eh—additional delay will hardly matter?"