Dewes expected him at once to press for information as to Linforth.

But Luffe knew very well that certain time must first be wasted in ceremonious preliminaries.
The news would only be spoken after a time and in a roundabout fashion.
"If we receive you without the distinction which is no doubt your due," said Luffe politely, "you must remember that I make it a rule not to welcome visitors at night." The visitor smiled and bowed.
"It is a great grief to his Highness Wafadar Nazim that you put so little faith in him," replied the Chilti.

"See how he trusts you! He sends me, his Diwan, his Minister of Finance, in the night time to come up to your walls and into your fort, so great is his desire to learn that the Colonel Sahib is well." Luffe in his turn bowed with a smile of gratitude.

It was not the time to point out that his Highness Wafadar Nazim was hardly taking the course which a genuine solicitude for the Colonel Sahib's health would recommend.
"His Highness has but one desire in his heart.

He desires peace--peace so that this country may prosper, and peace because of his great love for the Colonel Sahib." Again Luffe bowed.
"But to all his letters the Colonel Sahib returns the same answer, and truly his Highness is at a loss what to do in order that he may ensure the safety of the Colonel Sahib and his followers," the Diwan continued pensively.