“Nobody but Willoughby de Wing.  I’ll have to ask him for troops to guard the River Palace grounds.  There’s a confounded American digging this minute in the River Palace grounds by arrangement with Gungadhura.  He’ll have to be stopped, and I’ll have to make some sort of explanation.”

“What’s an American doing in Sialpore?”

“Prospecting.  Has a contract with Gungadhura.”

“Um-m-m!  We’ll have Standard Oil in next!  Better point out to Utirupa that contracts with foreigner’s aren’t regarded cordially.”

“That’s easily done,” said Samson.  “Utirupa is nothing if not anxious to please.”

“Yes, Utirupa is a very fine young fellow—­and a good sportsman, too, I’m told.”

“There is no reason why Utirupa should recognize the contract between Gungadhura and the American.  It was a private contract—­no official sanction.  If Gungadhura isn’t in position to continue it—­”

“Exactly.  Well—­good-by.  I’ll look forward to a good report from you.”

By train and horse and tonga Samson contrived to reach Sialpore on the morning before the day set for the polo tournament.  He barely allowed himself time to shave before going to see Dick Blaine, and found him, as he expected, at the end of the tunnel nearly a hundred yards long that started from inside the palace wall and passed out under it.  The guards at the gate did not dare refuse the commissioner admission.  So far, Dick had not begun demolition of the palace, but had dragged together enough lumber by pulling down sheds and outhouses.  He was not a destructive-minded man.

“Will you come outside and talk with me?” Samson shouted, amid the din of pick and shovel work.

“Sure.”

Dick’s poker face was in perfect working order by the time they reached the light.  But he stood with his back to the sun and let Samson have the worst of the position.

“You’re wasting time and money, Blaine.  I’ve come to tell you so.”

“Now—­that’s good of you.”

“Your contract with Gungadhura is not worth the paper it’s written on.”

“How so?”

“He will not be maharajah after noon today!”

“You don’t mean it!”

“That information is confidential, but the news will be out by tomorrow.  The British Administration intends to take over all the land on this side of the river.  That’s confidential too.  Between you and me, our government would never recognize a contract between you and Gungadhura.  I warned you once, and your wife a second time.”

“Sure, she told me.”

“Well.  You and I have been friends, Blaine.  I’d like you to regard this as not personal.  But—­”

“Oh, I get you.  I’m to call the men off?  That it?”

“You’ve only until tomorrow in any case.”

“And Gungadhura, broke, to look to for the pay-roll!  Well—­as you say, what’s the use?”

“I’d pay your men off altogether, if I were you.”