Sarmento looked at the emissary, who quickly replied in Portuguese. The Jesuit turned again to Arangbar.
"Your Majesty will doubtless receive a dispatch from Surat within a short time describing an unfortunate incident. His Excellency wants you to understand in advance that it was a mistaken order, undertaken entirely without his knowledge or approval."
Arangbar was fully awake now and staring down at the two Portuguese.
"What order? Did the Viceroy order something he now wishes to disown? What was it?"
"It's the unfortunate matter of the Fatima, Your Majesty." Sarmento turned helplessly toward the Portuguese emissary, as though he too were searching for an explanation.
"What about the Fatima? She's my largest cargo vessel. She's due in Surat in two days, with goods from Persia." Arangbar's face was sober now. "Her Highness, Maryam Zamani, had eighty lakhs of rupees . . ."
"The Fatima is safe, Your Majesty. She has only been detained at sea, on a mistaken interpretation of His Excellency's orders." Sarmento seemed to be blurting out the words. "But he wishes to assure you . . ."
"Impossible!" Arangbar's voice was suddenly a roar. "He would not dare! He knows the cargo was under my seal. I have a copy of the cartaz sent to Goa."
"It was a grievous mistake, Majesty. His Excellency sends his deepest apologies and offers to . . ."
"It was done on someone's order! It had to be his. How can it be a 'mistake'!" Arangbar's face had gone purple. "Why was it ordered in the first place?"