rses to a stand-still to answer my summons--brave men,
Maharajah-sahib--men whose blades are keen, and straightly held, and
true. They who would rally round me against Jaimihr would--"

"Would fight for me?"

"I have not yet said so." There was a little, barely accentuated
emphasis on the one word "yet." The Maharajah thought a minute before he
answered.

"How many mounted troopers could you raise?"

"Who knows? A thousand--three thousand--according to the soreness of the
need."

"You have heard--I know that you have heard--what, even at this minute,
awaits the British? I know, for I have taken care to know, that a cousin
of yours--Mahommed Gunga--is interested for the British. So--so I am
interested to have word with you."

Alwa laughed ironically.

"And the tiger asked the wolf pack where good hunting was!" he mocked.
"I and my men strike which way suits us when the hour comes."

"My palace has many chambers in it!" hinted Howrah. "There have been men
who wondered what the light of day was like, having long ago forgotten!"

"Make me prisoner!" laughed Alwa. "Count then the hours until three
thousand blades join Jaimihr and help him grease the dungeon hinges with
thy fat!"

"Having looted Jaimihr's palace, you speak thus?"

"Having whipped a dog, I wait for the dog to lick my hand."

"What is your purpose with these missionaries?"

"To redeem my given word."

"And then?"

"I would be free to pledge it again."

"To me?"

"To whom I choose."

"I will give thee the missionaries, against thy word to fight on my side
when the hour comes."

"Against whom?"

"The British."

"I have no quarrel with the British, yet."

"I will give thee the missionaries, against thy word to support me on
this throne."

"Against whom?"

"Against all comers."

"If I refuse, what then?"

"Jaimihr--who by this time must surely be thy very warmest
friend!--shall attack thee unmolested. Pledge thy word--take thy
missionary people--and Jaimihr must oppose thee and me combined."

"Should Jaimihr ride after me, what then?"

"If he takes many with him, he must leave his camp unguarded, or only
weakly guarded. Then I would act. If he goes with few, how can he take
thy castle?"

"Then I have your protection against Jaimihr, and the missionaries,
against my promise to support you on the throne?"

"My word on it."

"And mine."

Howrah rose, stepped forward to the dais edge, and held his hand out.

"Nay!" swore