“Would plundering his treasure be in keeping with your promise to him?”
“Nay, sahib. But—”
“Be good enough to take my message to him. Assure him that he may come with ten men without fear of molestation, but guarantee to him that if he comes with more than ten—and with however many more—I will fight, and keep his treasure, both!”
CHAPTER XXXIII
Friends I have sought me of varying nations,
Men of all ranks and of different stations;
Some are in jail now, and some are deceased.
Two, though, I found to be experts at sundering
Me from my revenue, leaving me wondering
Which was the costlier—soldier or priest.
A LITTLE more than one hour later, Howrah—sulky and disgruntled, but doing his level best to appear at Ease—faced young Cunningham across a table in the treasure-vault. Outside was a row of wagons, drawn by horses and closely guarded by a squadron of the Rangars. Behind Cunningham stood Alwa and Mahommed Gunga; behind the Maharajah were two of his court officials. There were pen and ink and the royal seal between them on the table.
“So, Maharajah-sahib. They are all scaled, and each chest is marked on the outside with its contents; I'm sorry there was no time to weigh the gold, but the number of the ingots ought to be enough. And, of course, you'll understand it wasn't possible to count all those unset stones—that 'ud take a week; but your seal is on that big chest, too, so you'll know if it's been opened. You are certain you can preserve the peace of your state with the army you have?”
“Yes,” said Howrah curtly.
“Don't want me to leave a squadron of my men to help you out?”