“No, sir; I have never heard his name.”

“He’s a rich Armenian trader in Hugli, and acts as agent between the Nawab and the French and Dutch.  We suspect him of encouraging Sirajuddaula against us; but of course we can’t prove anything.  My advice to you is, be wary and be quick; don’t trust any of these fellows further than you can see them.  But you can’t do anything tonight.  You will allow me to give you a bed:  in the morning you can make a call on Coja Solomon.  What has become of your peons?”

“A Babu I brought with me is looking after them.  But I have an English seaman also:  can you tell me what to do with him?”

“Sure he can lodge with Sergeant Bowler close by—­near the southeast bastion.  The sergeant will be glad of the company of a fellow countryman; your man will be a change after the Dutchmen and topasses he has to do with.”

Early next morning Desmond, accompanied by Surendra Nath, went to find Coja Solomon.  He lived in a house not far from the Armenian church, between it and the river.  The Armenian was at home.  He received Desmond with great politeness, assuring him with much volubility that he had but one interest in life, and that was the business of his honorable employer, Mr. Merriman.  He invited Desmond to accompany him to the godown near the river where the goods were stored—­muslins of Dacca, both plain and flowered, Bengal raw silk, and taffeties manufactured in Cossimbazar.

“You have not been long in the country, sir,” said Coja Solomon, with a shrewd look at Desmond, “and therefore you will find it hard to believe, perhaps, that these goods, so insignificant in bulk, are worth over two lakhs of rupees.  A precious load indeed, sir.  This delay is naturally a cause of vexation to my distinguished superior, but it is not due to any idleness or inattention on my part.  It is caused by the surprising difficulty of getting the dastaks countersigned by the Faujdar {officer in command of troops, and also a magistrate}—­Without his signature, as you know, the goods can not be removed.  I dare not venture.”

“But why didn’t the Faujdar sign the papers?”

“That I cannot tell.  I send messengers to him:  they come back:  the Faujdar is much occupied with the Nawab’s business, but he will attend to this little matter as soon as he has leisure.  He calls it a little matter; and so it is, perhaps, if we remember that the Nawab’s wealth is reckoned by millions; but it is not a little matter to Mr. Merriman, and I deeply deplore the unfortunate delay.”

“Well, be good enough to send another message at once.  Represent to the Faujdar that Mr. Merriman’s ship is prevented from sailing until the goods reach Calcutta, and that this causes great inconvenience and loss.”

Here the Babu whispered in his ear.

“Yes, and add—­you will know how to put it—­that if the dastaks are sent off immediately, the Faujdar will receive from Mr. Merriman a suitable gratification.”