"What do you mean?"
"If your king wishes to trade large quantities of commodity, he will certainly require an agent here in Agra. To ensure that documents and approvals are handled efficiently." Nadir Sharif sighed. "Officials here naturally prefer to work with someone who understands their . . . requirements. An agent will be essential, if your king expects to trade heavily." Nadir Sharif paused. "I presume that is his intention, assuming His Majesty approves the firman?"
Hawksworth examined Nadir Sharif for a moment, assuming he was offering to be the agent for King James. Or was he merely hoping to elicit trade information to pass on to the Portuguese.
"I'll engage an agent when the time seems proper. For now I have no firman." Then a light suddenly dawned somewhere in Hawksworth's brain. "But I suppose I'll need an 'agent' for that as well?"
"It could prove useful. His Majesty can be distressingly absentminded."
"And what would be this agent's fee?"
"It depends on the difficulty involved." Nadir Sharif’s face remained impassive.
"I would say it also depends on whether he's successful."
"So it would. But he would need more information on English trading intentions than you have divulged so far."
"That will come in time, when I know more about the 'agent.'"