Lord Victor sprang to his feet, clicked his heels together, very erect and soldierly, for he had been at Sandhurst, and saluted. With a laugh Finnerty said: "Fall out!" The discussion ceased.
From where they were they could hear, at times, curious, muffled noises disturbing the evening quiet, coming from the palace hill. Finnerty now gave some final advice:
"It is now eight o'clock. If we do not come back for the horses or get you word before morning, make for the outside. Have you any money?"
"Not much," Lord Victor answered.
Finnerty and Swinton gave him the money they had, the former saying: "If we get caught in that cave we won't need these rupees to pay board for long, I fancy." He held out his hand, and the youth took it, saying: "I'll remember about the thoroughbred colt."
Swinton shook hands with him, saying: "Duty is the best tutor, Lord Victor; it's a steadier, eh?"
"Sorry about—well, the—that silly break of mine about secret service, you know."
The Banjara, noting this completion of detail, said: "And the matter of a village, huzoor—does the young Lord Sahib understand that he is to tell the sircar that me and my brother have been true to their salt?"
"I will tell him to not forget, my friend, for you will well deserve it," the major answered.
When he had impressed this matter upon Gilfain, Finnerty held out his hand to the Banjara: "Brother, you are a man."