“Horsed and armed?”
“And ready!”
“And you, Alwa-sahib—are you pledged to fight against the British?”
“Not in so many words. I swore to uphold Howrah on his throne. He is against the British.”
“You swore to help smash his brother, Jaimihr?”
“If I were needed.”
“And Jaimihr too is against the British?”
“Jaimihr is for Jaimihr, and has a personal affair with me!”
“I must think,” said Cunningham, getting up. “I can think better alone. D'you mind if I go outside for a while, and come back later to tell you what I think?”
Alwa arose and held the door open for him—stood and watched him cross the courtyard—then turned and laughed at Mahommed Gunga.