“Your disguise is excellent,” said Diggle in his smoothest tones; “but I believe I speak to Mr. Desmond Burke.”

“Yes, Mr. Diggle,” said Desmond, stepping forward.

“I am glad to have overtaken you.  Sure you have encamped early.  I have a message from my friend the Faujdar of Hugli.  By some mistake a consignment of merchandise has been illegally removed from Cossimbazar, and the Faujdar, understanding that the goods are contained in these carts, bids me ask you to deliver them up to his men, whom you see here with me.”

Desmond was anxious to gain time.  He thought out his plan of action while Diggle was speaking.  His impulsiveness prompted a flat defiance in few words; policy counseled a formality of utterance equal to Diggle’s.

“These carts certainly contain merchandise, Mr. Diggle,” he said.  “It is the property of Mr. Edward Merriman, of Calcutta; I think you know him?  It was removed from Cossimbazar; but not, I assure you, illegally.  I have the dastaks authorizing its removal to Calcutta; they are signed by the Faujdar of Murshidabad.  Has the Faujdar of—­where did you say?”

“Of Hugli.”

“Has the Faujdar of Hugli power to countermand what the Faujdar of the capital has done?”

“Why discuss that point?” said Diggle with a smile.  “The Faujdar of Hugli is an officer of the Nawab; hoc sat est tibi—­blunt language, but the phrase is Tully’s.”

“Well, I waive that.  But I am not satisfied that you, an Englishman, have authority to act for the Faujdar of Hugli.  The crowd I see before me—­a rabble of lathiwallahs—­clearly cannot be the Faujdar’s men.”

At this point he heard an exclamation from Bulger.  The second body of men had come up and ranked themselves behind the first.

“And may I ask,” added Desmond, with a slight gesture to Bulger to restrain himself—­he too had recognized the newcomers—­“since when the Nawab has taken into his service the crew of an interloping English merchantman?”

“I shall give you full information, Mr. Burke,” said Diggle suavely, “when we stand together before my friend the Faujdar.  In the meantime you will, if I may venture to advise, consult your interest best in yielding to superior numbers and delivering up the goods.”

“And what about myself, Mr. Diggle?”

“You, of course, will accompany me to the Faujdar.  He will be incensed, I make no doubt, at your temerity, and not unjustly; but I will intercede for you, and you will be treated with the most delicate attentions.”

“You speak fair, Mr. Diggle,” said Desmond, still bent upon gaining time; “but that is your way.  What assurance have I that you will, this time, keep your word?”

“You persist in misjudging me,” said Diggle regretfully.  “As Cicero says in the play, you construe things after your fashion, clean from the purpose of the things themselves.  My interest in you is undiminished; nay rather, it is increased and mixed with admiration.  My offers still hold good:  join hands with me, and I promise you that you shall soon be a persona grata at the court of Murshidabad, with wealth and honors in your grasp.”