Talbot Mundy

“ No need to warn them not to talk. Only Ommony in all that forest could converse with them. They understood not more than ten words in any other language than their own decayed Lemurian.
With the key of the hut in his pocket Ommony rode on to the palace, and was admitted this time by a side-gate, since there was nothing official about his call. Zelmira with Charley in attendance waited for him in an open-sided Summer-house in the midst of three acres of neglected garden. There was no chance of eavesdropping, but they themselves were easily visible from the palace windows. ”

“ The raja’s hints that I’ve been here long enough are getting positively rude.”
“That nabob will have his head punched presently!” said Charley, nodding confirmation.
“Faint heart never won fair plutocrat!” laughed Ommony. “Stick it out, madame! The raja will change his tune from now on. Strange goes to the Panch Mahal within a day or two. Then everything depends on you. I’ll have a parson in attendance.”
“So quick?”
“Surely. Strange needs distraction, or he’ll murder everything on four legs and cut down all the trees in the universe! ”

“ I’m feeling so well I could walk twenty miles, and I have to play sick with my head in a shawl! I want to ride, and dance, and sing, and be alive, but I have to pretend that even the phonograph makes my head ache! ”

“ That rebuke having reduced the raja to glowering silence, Ommony pursued the advantage.
“It’s enough for you to know there’s nothing legal in the priests’ claim; but I advise you to mention it to Strange and to tell him it isn’t legal and can’t be enforced in court. If Strange asks me, I’ll confirm that. Represent to Strange that if he buys the Panch Mahal and pays you cash for it, then you’ll consider the forest deal, but not otherwise. I’ll admit to him, if necessary, that as a property-owner he’ll have a better leg to stand on when it comes to arguing with the Government. ”

“ That set the raja thinking on a new line. He would have loved to cheat the priests—to double-cross and laugh at them; but he did not dare attempt that; the priests’ power is too subtle and far-reaching, as well as ruthless. Pride, that is sweeter than success, restrained him from an open bar gain with them. Poverty—extravagance—the distant lights of La Ville Lumière impelled. Chullunder Ghose was a rogue with brains, who would serve any master who paid him well enough. Strange vs. Priests of Siva would be a game worth while for the Pantheon of Heaven to come and watch! ”

“ You are only person who can send me on red stallion through forest full of tigers, accompanied by cannibals, [1] who drive me before them, replacing me on back of said terrifying stallion when I frequently fall off! You are unconnected person, who can nevertheless compel me to cling by toe- and finger-nails to wall of snakesome well. Not my employer! Nevertheless, this babu awaits emolument. ”

“ Life’s like that. Take, or it shall be taken from you, even that which you have. I’ve neglected this part of my education. You’ve neglected business. The result is I’ve got millions to your thousands, but you’re the better shot. ”

“ The babu sat down cross-legged on a broken stone to one side of the well, where he was least conspicuous, and proceeded to examine the pistol. He faced away from Ommony. Their conversation might have been directed to the empty air.
“Unlike regal artillery, am not gold-plated. Oh no, very far from it. Am impoverished person. Nevertheless, resembling gun in other matters, I go off when safety-catch is released and trigger pressed—thus. ”