I knew that he would listen to a hint from me, and I knew that he had no one in his office whom he could send.

Then, sahib, I brought matters to a head by bringing every man of merit whom I could raise to salute him and make an outrageous exhibition of him.

That is what I have done!" "One would think you were scheming for a throne, Mahommed Gunga!" "Nay, sahib, I am scheming for the peace of India! But there will be war first." "I know there will be war," said the Brigadier.

"I only wish I could make the other sahibs realize it." "Will you sign the paper, sahib ?" "Yes, I will sign the paper.

But--" "But what, sahib ?" "I'm not quite certain that I'm doing right." "Brigadier-sahib, when the hour comes--and that is soon--it will be time to answer that! There lie the papers.".