d plundering his treasure be in keeping with your promise to him?"

"Nay, sahib. But--"

"Be good enough to take my message to him. Assure him that he may come
with ten men without fear of molestation, but guarantee to him that if
he comes with more than ten--and with however many more--I will fight,
and keep his treasure, both!"

CHAPTER XXXIII

Friends I have sought me of varying nations,
Men of all ranks and of different stations;
Some are in jail now, and some are deceased.
Two, though, I found to be experts at sundering
Me from my revenue, leaving me wondering
Which was the costlier--soldier or priest.

A LITTLE more than one hour later, Howrah--sulky and disgruntled, but
doing his level best to appear at Ease--faced young Cunningham across
a table in the treasure-vault. Outside was a row of wagons, drawn
by horses and closely guarded by a squadron of the Rangars. Behind
Cunningham stood Alwa and Mahommed Gunga; behind the Maharajah were
two of his court officials. There were pen and ink and the royal seal
between them on the table.

"So, Maharajah-sahib. They are all scaled, and each chest is marked on
the outside with its contents; I'm sorry there was no time to weigh the
gold, but the number of the ingots ought to be enough. And, of
course, you'll understand it wasn't possible to count all those unset
stones--that 'ud take a week; but your seal is on that big chest, too,
so you'll know if it's been opened. You are certain you can preserve the
peace of your state with the army you have?"

"Yes," said Howrah curtly.

"Don't want me to leave a squadron of my men to help you out?"

"No!" He said that even more abruptly.

"Good. Of course, since you won't have to spare men to guard the
treasure now, you'll have all the more to keep peace in the district
with, won't you? Let me repeat the terms of our bargain--they're written
here, but let's be sure there is no mistake. I agree to deliver your
treasure into safe keeping until the rebellion is over, and to report to
my government that you are friendly disposed toward us. You, in return,
guarantee to protect the families and property of all these gentlemen
who ride with me. It is mutually agreed that any damage done to their
homes during their absence shall be made good out of your treasure, but
that should you keep your part of the agreement the treasure shall be
handed back to you intact. Is that correct?"

"Y