ears had given Ram Lal added cunning. 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. The girl is only a
bulbul in a golden cage and with no one to sing to." Hawke cut short Ram
Lal's flowery figures.

"Does the Swiss woman trade with you?" he demanded.

"Yes, she buys a few simple things--my peddlers take the Veiled Rose
many rich things. The old Sahib is very generous to the child. And the
dragon loves trinkets, too!" Then Alan Hawke's eyes gleamed.

"She knows your shop here?"

"Perfectly," replied Ram Lal, "and comes alone--on the master's
business. You know I had many dealings with Sahib Hugh Fraser in the old
days," mused the jeweler. "He always admits my men. I have valued gems
for him for twenty years."

"Good!" cried the happy Major. "I want to send a man now to her with a
note. I am going to put up at the United Service Club, but I must see
this woman first. I don't like to send a letter, though. If I had any
one to trust--"

The merchant promptly said: "I will go myself! They are always in the
garden in the afternoon. I can easily see her alone."

"First rate! Then I will give you a message," answered Hawke. "I must
see her to-morrow early, for old Hugh will surely ask me to tiffin. And,
Ram, you must at on