"If I abdicate?" he asked, as if his throat and lips could hardly form the words.
"That would be sufficient. The assassin would then be allowed to plead guilty to another charge there is against him, and the matter would be dropped."
"I abdicate!"
"On behalf of His Majesty's Government I accept the abdication. Sign this, please."
Samson laid a formal written act of abdication on the table by the throne.
Gungadhura signed it. Willoughby de Wing wrote his signature as witness.
Samson took it back and folded it away.
"Arrangements will be made for Your Highness to leave Sialpore tomorrow morning, with a sufficient escort for your protection. Provision will be made in due course for your private residence elsewhere. Be good enough to hold yourself and your family in readiness tomorrow morning."
"But my son!" exclaimed Gungadhura. "I abdicate in favor of my son!"
"In case of abdication by a reigning prince, or deposition of a reigning prince," said Samson, "the Government of India reserves the right to appoint his successor, from among eligible members of his family if there be any, but to appoint his successor in any case. There is ample precedent."
"And my son?"
"Will certainly not be considered."