At Abu there will be delay--much talk with Everton-sahib, and who knows ?--perhaps cancellation of the plan to send thee on to Howrah." "I'd be damned glad, Mahommed Gunga, not to have to go there!" "Sahib, look! What is this I wear ?" "Which ?" "See here, sahib--this." For the first time Cunningham noticed the fine European workmanship on the sword-hilt, and realized that the Rajput's usual plain, workmanlike weapon had been replaced.
"That is Byng-bahadur's sword of honor! It reached me a few minutes ago.
The man who brought it is barely out of sight.

It means, sahib, that the hour to act is come!" "But--" "Sahib--this sending thee to Howrah is my doing?
Since the day when I first heard that the son of Pukka Cunnigan-bahadur was on his way I have schemed and planned and contrived to this end.

It was at word from me that Byng-bahadur signed the transfer papers--otherwise he would have kept thee by him.

There are owls--old women--men whom Allah has deprived of judgment--drunkards--fools--in charge at Peshawur and in other places; but there are certain men who know.

Byng-bahadur knows.