A crafty conspirator of the old days when the mystic "chupatties" were sent out on their dark errand, the sly jewel merchant had survived the bloody wreck of the throne of Oude, and from the place of attendant to one of the slaughtered princes, dropped down softly into the trade of money lender, secret agent, and broker of the unlawful in many varied ways.
It was Ram Lal's easy task to purvey luxuries to the imperious Briton, to hold the extravagant underlings in his usurious clutches, to be at peace with Hindu, Moslem, Sikh, Pathan, Ghoorka, Persian, and Armenian, and to blur his easy-going Mohammedanism in a generous participation in all sins of omission and commission.

A many-sided man! Alan Hawke heaved a sigh of easy contentment when he had brought the chronique scandahuse of Delhi down to the day and hour.
"You say that she is beautiful, this girl ?" "As the stars on the sea!" nodded Ram Lal.
"And the Swiss woman ?" "Never leaves her for a minute.

They see no one, for all men say the old Commissioner will take her home, to Court when he is gazetted!" "None of the great people go there ?" keenly queried Hawke.
"Not even the fine ladies," laughed Ram Lal.

"The old fellow may have his own memories of the past.

He trusts no one.