“How did you hear what my orders were?”
“My half-brother came hurrying with the news, sahib. I hastened! My horse lies dead one kos from Hanadra here!”
The lieutenant laughed.
“At last, Mahommed? That poor old screw of yours? So he's dead at last, eh? So his time had come at last!”
“We be not all rich men who serve the Raj!” said the Risaldar with dignity. “Ay, sahib, his time was come! And when our time comes may thou and I, sahib, die as he did, with our harness on! What said thy orders, sahib? Haste? Then yonder lies the road, through the archway!”
“But, tell me, Risaldar, what brought you here in such a hurry?”
“A poor old screw, sahib, whose time was come—even as thou hast said!”
“Mahommed Khan, I'm sorry—very sorry, if I insulted you! I—I'm worried—I didn't stop to think. I—old friend, I—”
“It is forgotten, sahib!”
“Tell me—what are these rumors you have heard?”