"At the polo game," she asked Tess, "when the English ask questions as to where you have been, and what you saw, what will you tell them?"
"Why not the truth? Samson expressly asked me to cultivate your acquaintance."
"Splendid! Tell them you traveled on camel-back by night across the desert with me! By the time they have believed that we will think of more to add to it! We return by elephant to Sialpore together, timing our arrival for the polo game. There we separate. You watch the game together with your husband. I shall be in a closed carriage—part of the time. I shall be there all the time, but I don't think you will see me."
"But you say they have rifled your palace. Where will you sleep?" Tess asked.
"At your house on the hill!"
"But that is in Gungadhura's territory. Aren't you afraid of him?"
"Of Gungadhura? I? I never was! But now whoever fears him would run from a broken snake. I have word that the fool has murdered Mukhum Dass the money-lender. You may trust the English to draw his teeth nicely for him after that! Gungadhura is like a tiger in a net he can not break!"
"He might send men to break into the house," Tess argued.
"There will be sharper eyes than any of his watching!"
But Tess was alarmed at the prospect. She did not mind in the least what the English might have to say about it afterward; but to have her little house the center of nocturnal feuds, with her husband using his six-shooters, and heaven only knew what bloodshed resulting, was more of a prospect than she looked forward to.