Almost exactly at dawn Sita Ram, as sleepy as a homing owl, reached his own small quarters in the densest part of town.  He had his hand on the door when another hand restrained him from behind.

“You know me?” said a voice he did not know.  A moment later his terrified eyes informed him.

“Mukhum Dass?  I owe you nothing!”

“Liar!  You have my title-deed!  Hand it over before I bring the constabeel!”

“I?  Your title-deed?  I know nothing of it.  What title-deed?”

Mukhum Dass cut expostulation short, and denied himself the pleasure of further threatening.

“See.  Here is a letter.  Read it, and then hand me over my title-deed!”

“Ah!  That is different?” said Sita Ram, pocketing Yasmini’s letter, for precaution’s sake.  “Wait here while I bring it!”

Two minutes later he returned with a parchment in a tin tube.

“Do I receive no recompense?” he asked.  “Did I not find the title-deed and keep it safe?  Where is the reward?”

“Recompense?” growled Mukhum Dass.  “To be out of jail is recompense!  The next time you find property of mine, bring it to me, or the constabeel shall have work to do!”

“Dog!” snarled the babu after him.  “Dog of a usurer!  Wait and see!”

Chapter Eleven

To cover a trail is less than half the work, for any dog with a nose can smell it out.  You should make a false trail afterward to deceive the clever folk. -Eastern Proverb

“Say:  that little girl you’re wanting to run off with is my wife!”

The other side to the intrigue developed furiously up at the Baines’ house on the hillside.  Yasmini gave directions from Tess’s bedroom, where Tess hid her from prying servants, she electing to change clothes once more—­this time into her hostess’ riding breeches, boots and helmet.  But she insisted on Tess retaining the Rajput costume, only allowing a hand-bag to be packed with woman’s things, skirt, blouse and so on.

“If I am seen there must be no mistake about me.  They must swear that I am you!  It doesn’t matter who they believe that you are.  Above all, Chamu the butler must not see me.  When he is dismissed in the morning he will tell tales for very spite, and take his chance of my accusing him of theft; so be sure that he sees Tom Tripe search the cellar.  Then he will confirm to the maharajah afterward that Tripe did search—­ and did see something—­and that Blaine sahib did lock the cellar door afterward in anger, and put weights on it.  That is the important thing.  Blaine sahib must drive the carriage again to the house of Mukhum Dass; and be sure that I am not kept waiting there—­we must start before the dawn breaks!  Now give me paper and a pen to write the chit (letter) for Mukhum Dass.”