your son didn’t steal them, and can point out the—well —the real thief in the situation.”
Dunkar Rao appeared ready to fall on Lambert’s neck in an outburst of relief.
“In that case you are my preserver,” he cried. “You are the embodiment of all earthly virtue and wisdom.”
“Oh, I know,” replied Lambert, indifferently. “We’ll take all that for granted, but how about the state automobile?”
A conflict of emotions swept over Dunkar Rao’s avaricious features. A distant shout caused him to yield precipitously.
“What is to be——must be. I will seal the contract provided you thus prevent the Mohammedan uprising.”
Lambert nodded and produced his contract, in which a clause guaranteed an ample deposit. Dunkar Rao winced as he glanced over it, but finally gave his assent.
“Well,” remarked Lambert, “I guess there’s nothing more to speak of except my little bit of graft-say a couple of thousand rupees. You can hand that over now after we seal the contract.”
“But,” protested Dunkar Rao, “that is never the way of business. It is the one who seeks a favor who pays.”
A smile of satisfaction lit up Lambert’s features.
“Yes, but in this case it is you who seek the favor, Rao. You’ll lose a good deal more than I if the Mohammedans burn the palace. Suppose we make my bit of graft twenty-five hundred to be on the safe side. Maybe what I want to buy with the money will cost- that,” he added, reflectively.
Dunkar Rao, fearful that Lambert Would keep on raising his terms, summoned a munshi (secretary) and in legal form sealed the contract. With an inward
