"Every one of these five waggons, sahib, contains a hundred thousand
rupees."

"That is as much as five lakhs?"

"It is so. And I ask you once more kindly to favour His Highness with a
reply."

The Colonel considered a moment, and then answered with the same quiet
demeanour and impenetrable expression, "Thanks to you, Prince. Have the
contents of these waggons carried into the hall. The Viceroy will decide
what is to be done with it later on."

The Prince's face clearly showed his disappointment. For a little while
he remained there standing as if considering what to do. But recognising
that the Englishman wished to end the conversation, he touched the
middle of his forehead with his right hand and descended the steps of
the verandah. With the assistance of English soldiers a great many small
casks were carried into the hall. The procession moved on again with
the same cries and shouts which had accompanied its approach and soon
disappeared.

A smile flitted across the Colonel's face, erstwhile so unemotional,
as he turned towards his guests, probably feeling that some sort of
explanation for his attitude was due to them.

"I consider this half-million a very desirable acquisition towards the
war expenses of my detachment. But these Orientals never can understand
our way of thinking, and our ideas of honour will always remain an
insoluble riddle to them. With a present, that he, of course, has meant