The trembling Chamu was led into a room where an ink-pot stood open
on a desk, and watched narrowly while he made a thumb-mark and
scratched a signature. Then:

"Take the money and pay thy puppy's debt with it. Afterward beat the
boy. And see to it," Yasmini advised, "that Mukhum Dass gives a receipt,
lest he claim the debt a second time!"

Speechless between relief, doubt and resentment Chamu hid the banknote
in his sash and tried to feign gratitude--a quality omitted from his list of
elements when a patient, caste-less mother brought him yelling into
the world.

"Go!"

Tom Tripe made a sign to Trotters, who went and lay down, obviously
bored, and Chamu departed backward, bowing repeatedly with both
hands raised to his forehead.

"And now, Your Ladyship?"

"Take that eater-of-all-that-is-unnamable," (she meant the dog), "and
return to the palace."

"Your Ladyship, it's all my life's worth!"

"Tell the maharajah that you have spoken with a certain Gunga Singh,
who said that the Princess Yasmini is at the house of the commissioner sahib."

"But it's not true; they'll--"