He paused, for Samson's eyes were again a signal of excitement.
He had it! He knew as much as the priest himself did in that instant!
There was one particular individual in Sialpore who fitted that bill.

"Nonsense!" he answered. "Gungadhura would be answerable to
me for any outrages."

The priest showed a slight trace of dejection, but went forward bravely
to defeat.

"There is danger," he said. "If Gungadhura should lay hands on all
that money, there would be no peace in Rajputana. I should not bargain
away what belongs to the priesthood, but discretion is permitted me;
if you will agree with me tonight, I will accept a little less than half of it."

Samson wanted time to think, and he was through with the priest--finished
with the interview,--not even anxious to appear polite.

"If you bring me definite information," he said slowly, "and on the strength
of that my government should come in possession of the Sialpore
treasure, I will promise you in writing five per cent. of it for the funds
of the priesthood of Jinendra, the money to be held in trust and administered
subject to accounting."

Jinendra's high priest hove his bulk out of the leather chair and went
through the form of taking leave, contenting himself, too, with the veriest
shell of courtesy--scorn for such an offer scowling from his fat face.
Samson showed him to the door and closed it after him, leaving
Babu Sita Ram to do the honors outside in the passage.