He raised his hand as the Rajput began to stammer an apology.
"No.

Don't apologize.

If you'll forgive me for shooting your pet tiger, I'll overlook the rest of it.

If I'd known that you kept him in there o' nights, I'd have chosen another room, that's all--some room where I couldn't smell him, and where I shouldn't run the risk of killing an inoffensive man.

Why, I might have shot you! Think how sorry I'd have been!" The Risaldar did not quite know what to say; so, wiser than most, he said nothing.
"Oh, and one other matter.