"Never leaves her for a minute. They see no one, for all men say the
old Commissioner will take her home, to Court when he is gazetted!"

"None of the great people go there?" keenly queried Hawke.

"Not even the fine ladies," laughed Ram Lal. "The old fellow may
have his own memories of the past. He trusts no one. The girl is
only a bulbul in a golden cage and with no one to sing to." Hawke
cut short Ram Lal's flowery figures.

"Does the Swiss woman trade with you?" he demanded.

"Yes, she buys a few simple things--my peddlers take the Veiled
Rose many rich things. The old Sahib is very generous to the child.
And the dragon loves trinkets, too!" Then Alan Hawke's eyes gleamed.

"She knows your shop here?"

"Perfectly," replied Ram Lal, "and comes alone--on the master's
business. You know I had many dealings with Sahib Hugh Fraser in
the old days," mused the jeweler. "He always admits my men. I have
valued gems for him for twenty years."

"Good!" cried the happy Major. "I want to send a man now to her
with a note. I am going to put up at the United Service Club, but
I must see this woman first. I don't like to send a letter, though.
If I had any one to trust--"

The merchant promptly said: "I will go myself! They are always in