"What did the maharajah want of the three sapphires?" Swinton asked innocently.
Baboo Dass leaned across the table, and in a gurgling whisper said: "Because of this foolish belief that he would rule all India. The Buddhists would think he was a Buddha. That word _Rikaz_ means, in theologic way, that in the man possesses the three sapphires is buried the treasure of holy knowledge."
Swinton, turning his head at a faint sound, saw his bearer standing in the back doorway.
Trembling with apprehension, Baboo Dass slipped the case back in his breast. A revulsion of bibulous despondency took possession of him; he slipped a white cotton sock from one of the feet he had pulled from their shoes in his exuberancy, and wiped his eyes.
"Baboo Dass is right," Perreira declared, thrusting into the gap. "On the hill I am working like mole in the ground, but I got my eyeteeth looking when I am in the light. I am Britisher--Piccadilly Circus is home for me--if I work for native prince I don't sell my mess of pottage."
Perreira tapped the breast pocket of his jaran coat. "I got little book here----" The half-caste gulped; a wave of sea green swept over his face; he gurgled "Sick," and made a reeling dash for the verandah. At the door, he recoiled with a yell of terror. The baboo dived under the table.
Thinking it was the tiger, Swinton grabbed his rifle and sprang to the door, discovering a native standing against the wall.
"What do you want?" the captain asked in rapid English.
"Sahib, I am the night _chowkidar_ of the compound."
"Sit on the steps there!" Swinton commanded.
Back at the table, he said: "Baboo, you and Perreira go back to your bungalow now with the _chowkidar_, but I warn you he understands English."
Trembling, Perreira whispered: "That man spy. Please lending me rupees two."
Baboo Dass revived to encourage the deal, saying: "Mr. Perreira is honest man; I endorse for him rupees five thousand."
Suspecting that the requested loan had something to do with the eavesdropping _chowkidar_, Captain Swinton went to his room, returning with the silver, which he slipped quietly into Perreira's palm, saying in a low voice: "Come to see me again." He stood watching the three figures pass down the moonlit road, and saw Perreira touch the _chowkidar_; then their hands met.