But what relation that intention had to her loyalty or treachery, or whether she were capable of either--capable of anything except greed, and obedience for the sake of pay--were problems no man living could have guessed.
She asked the lounging sweeper by the arch whether Ali Partab had ridden out as yet.

He jeered back outrageous improprieties, suggestive of impossible ambition on the hag's part.

She called him "sahib," dubbed him "father of a dozen stalwart sons," returned a few of his immodest compliments with a flattering laugh, and learned that Ali Partab was still busy in the caravansary.

Then she proceeded to make herself very inconspicuous beside a two-wheeled wagon, up-ended in the gutter opposite the arch, and waited with eastern patience for the horseman to ride out.
She saw the fat Hindoo come back, in no particular hurry now, and seat himself not far from her.

Later she saw eight horsemen ride down the street, pass the arch, wheel, and halt.