The squire was back again within five minutes and stood before Mahommed
Gunga in silent expectation.

"I shall miss thee," said Mahommed Gunga after five minutes'
reflection. "It is well that I have other servants in the north."

"In what have I offended, sahib?"

"In nothing. Therefore there is a trust imposed."

The man salaamed. Mahommed Gunga produced his little handful of gold
mohurs and divided it into two equal portions; one he handed to the
squire.

"Stay here. Be always either in the caravansary or else at call.
Should the old woman who serves Miss Maklin-sahib, the padre-sahib's
daughter come and ask thy aid, then saddle swiftly the three horses I
will leave with thee, and bear Miss Maklin-sahib and her father to my
cousin Alwa's place. Present two of the gold mohurs to the hag, should
that happen."

"But sahib--two mohurs? I could buy ten such hags outright for the
price!"

"She has my word in the matter! It is best to have her eager to win
great reward. The hag will stay awake, but see to it that thou
sleepest not!"

"And for how long must I stay here, sahib?"