If I hand him to the British, Howrah will know that he is safe and altogether out of harm's way; then he will recall what he may choose to consider insolence of mine; and then--" "Oh, well--consider it!" said Cunningham, saluting him and making for the door, close followed by Mahommed Gunga.

The two went out and it left Alwa to stride up and down alone--to wrestle between desire and circumspection--to weigh uncomfortable fact with fact--and to curse his wits that could not settle on the wisest and most creditable course.
They turned into another chamber of the tunnelled rock, and there until long after the hour of law allowed to Alwa they discussed the situation too.
"The point was well taken, sahib," said Mahommed Gunga, "but he should have been handled rather less abruptly." "Eh ?" "Rather less abruptly, sahib." "Oh! Well--if his mind isn't clear as to which side he'll fight on, I don't want him, and that's all!" said Cunningham.

And Mahommed Gunga bitted his impatience fiercely, praying the one God he believed in to touch the right scale of the two.

Later, Cunningham strode out to pace the courtyard in the dark, and the Rajput followed him..