But if she wanted to make him guess aloud for her amusement she
was wasting time. Had he known the answer he would have held his
tongue. As he did not know it, he had all the more reason to wait
indefinitely, if need be. But interminable waiting was no part
of her plan. Words were welling out of her.

"I gave a fool that knife to use, because he was afraid. It gave
him courage. When he failed I knew it by telegram, and I sent
another fool before the wires were cold, to kill him in the police-
station cell for having failed. One fool has been stabbed and the
English will hang the other. Then I sent twenty men to turn India
inside out and find the knife again, for like the bracelets it has
its place. And that is why I laughed. They are hunting. They
will hunt until I call them off!"

"Why didn't you take it with the bracelet?" King asked her, holding
it out. "Take it now. I don't want it."

She accepted it and laid it on the man's bronze armor. Then, however,
she resumed it and played with it.

"Look again!" she said. "Think and look again!"

He looked, and he knew now. But he still preferred that she should
tell him, and his lips shut tight.

"Why, having ordered your death, did I countermand the order when
your life had been attempted once? Why, as soon as Rewa Gunga had
seen you, did I order you to be aided in every way?"