CHAPTER THE NINETEENTH
*In which the scene changes; the dramatis personae remaining the same.*
A few days after the capture, the _Tyger_ left Gheria, having on boardthe men wounded in the attack and the European prisoners who had beenrescued. Desmond also sailed in her, with an official report fromAdmiral Watson to Governor Bourchier.
The arrival of the _Tyger_ at Bombay, with the first news of the successof the expedition and the fall of the fortress so long deemedimpregnable, was the occasion of a great demonstration of rejoicing.The trading community, whether European or native, was enthusiastic overthe ruin of the notorious Pirate; and Desmond, as one who had had ashare in the operations, came in for a good deal of congratulation whichhe laughingly protested ought to have been reserved for better men.
Mr. Merriman was among the crowd that welcomed the _Tyger_, and as soonas Desmond had delivered his report to Mr. Bourchier, the genialmerchant carried him off to the house on the Green where he was stayingand insisted on having a full account of his experiences. When helearnt that Diggle had been captured and would shortly reach Bombay as aprisoner, his jolly face assumed as intense a look of vindictivesatisfaction as it was capable of expressing.
"By thunder! that's the best of your news for me. The villain will gethis deserts at last. I'm only sorry that I shall not be here to serveon the jury."
"Are you leaving Bombay then?"
"Yes, and I wanted you to come with me. My ship the _Hormuzzeer_ cameto port two days ago, and I had to dismiss the second mate, who wascontinually at odds with the lascars. I hoped you would accept hisberth, and sail with me. I want to get back to Calcutta. We hadadvices the other day that things are not looking well in Bengal.Alivirdi Khan is dying; and there is sure to be some bother about thesuccession. All Bengal may be aflame. My wife and daughter are inCalcutta, and I don't care about being away from them if danger isthreatening. I want to get away as soon as possible, and thought oftaking passage in an Indiaman; but the _Hormuzzeer_ being here I'll sailin that; she'll make direct for the Hugli; an Indiaman would put in atMadras, and goodness knows how long I might be delayed."
"'Tis a pity," said Desmond. "I should have liked of all things toaccept your offer, but I'm bound to stay for Diggle's trial, and thatcan't be held until the fleet return."
"How long will that be?"
"I heard the Admiral say he expected it would take a month to settleeverything at Gheria. He wants to keep the place in our hands, butRamaji Punt claims it for the Peshwa, and Captain Speke of the _Kent_told me that it'll be very lucky if they come to an arrangement within amonth."
"It's uncommonly vexatious. I can't wait a month. It'll take a week ormore to clean the _Hormuzzeer's_ hull, and another to load her; in afortnight at the outside I hope to be on my way. Well, it can't behelped. What will you do when the trial is over?"
"I don't know."
"Did Mr. Clive say anything about a cadetship?"
"Not a word. He only said that I should get a share of the Gheriaprize-money."
"That's something to the good. Use it wisely. I came out to Calcuttatwenty years ago with next to nothing, and I've done well. There's noreason why you should not make your fortune too if your health willstand the climate. We'll have a talk over things before I sail."
A week later the _Bridgewater_ arrived from Gheria, with Diggle onboard. He was imprisoned in the Fort, being allotted far toocomfortable quarters to please Mr. Merriman. But Merriman's indignationat what he considered the Governor's leniency was changed to hot ragethree days later when it became known that the prisoner had disappeared.Not a trace of him could be discovered. He had been locked in as usualone night, and next morning his room was empty. Imprisonment was muchless stringent in those days than now; the prisoner was allowed to seevisitors and to live more or less at ease. The only clue to Diggle'sescape was afforded by the discovery that, at the same time that hedisappeared, there vanished also a black boy, who had been brought amongthe prisoners from Gheria and was employed in doing odd jobs about theharbour. Desmond had no doubt that this was Diggle's boy ScipioAfricanus. And when he mentioned the connexion between the two, it wassupposed that the negro had acted as go-between for his master with thefriends in the town by whose aid the escape had been arranged. Among thelarge native population of Bombay there were many who were suspected ofbeing secret agents of the French, and as Diggle was well provided withfunds it was not at all unlikely that his jailer had been tampered with.Merriman's wrath was very bitter. He had been waiting for years, as hetold Desmond, for the punishment of Peloti. It was gall and wormwood tohim that the villain should have cheated the gallows.
Diggle's escape, however, gave Merriman an opportunity to secureDesmond's services. The culprit being gone, the evidence was no longerrequired. Finding that Desmond was still ready to accept the positionof mate on the _Hormuzzeer_, Merriman consulted Mr. Bourchier, whoadmitted that he saw no reason for detaining the lad. Accordingly, atthe end of the first week in March, when the vessel stood out of Bombayharbour, Desmond sailed with her.
The weather was calm, but the winds not wholly favourable, and the_Hormuzzeer_ made a somewhat slow passage. Mr. Merriman was impatient toreach Calcutta, and Desmond was surprised at his increasing uneasiness.He had believed that the French and Dutch were the only people in Bengalwho gave the Company trouble, and as England was then at peace with bothFrance and the Netherlands, there was nothing, he thought, to fear fromthem.
"You are mistaken," said Mr. Merriman, in the course of a conversationone day. "The natives are a terrible thorn in our side. At best we arein Bengal on sufferance; we are a very small community--only a hundredor two Europeans in Calcutta: and since the Marathas overran the countrysome years ago we have felt as though sitting on the brink of a volcano.Alivirdi wants to keep us down; he has forbidden us to fight the Frencheven if war does break out between us at home; and though the Mogul hasgranted us charters--they call them firmans here--Alivirdi doesn't carea rap for things of that sort, and won't be satisfied until he has usunder his heel. Only his trading profits and his fear of the Mogul havekept him civil."
"But you said he was dying."
"So he is, and that makes matters worse, for his grandson,Siraj-uddaula, who'll probably succeed him, is no better than a tiger.He lives at Murshidabad, about 100 miles up the river. He's a vain,peacocky, empty-headed youth, and as soon as the breath is out of hisgrandad's body he'll want to try his wings and take a peck or two at us.He may do it slyly, or go so far as to attack us openly."
"But if he did that, sure Calcutta is defended; and, as Mr. Clive saidto me in Gheria, British soldiers behind walls might hold out for ever."
"Clive doesn't know Calcutta then! That's the mischief! At the Marathainvasion the Bengalis on our territory took fright, and at their ownexpense began a great ditch round Calcutta--we call it the Marathaditch; but the Nawab bought the Marathas off, the work was stopped, thewalls of the fort are now crumbling to ruins, and the cannon lie aboutunmounted and useless. Worst of all, our governor, Mr. Drake, is aquiet soul, an excellent worthy man, who wouldn't hurt a fly. We callhim the Quaker. Quakers are all very well at home, where they can'thee' and 'thou' and get rich and pocket affronts without any harm; butthey won't do in India. Might is right with the natives; they don'tunderstand anything else; and as sure as they see any sign of weaknessin us they'll take advantage of it and send us all to kingdom come. AndI'm thinking of the women folk: India's no place for them at the best;and I did all I could to persuade my wife and daughter to remain athome. But they would come out with me when I returned last year; andglad as I am to have them with me I sometimes get very anxious; I can'tbear them out of my sight, and that's a fact."
Mr. Merriman showed his relief when, on the 30th of April, he noticedthe yellow tinge in the water which indicated that the vessel wasapproaching the mouth of the Hugli. Next day the vessel arrived atBalasore, where a pilot was taken on boa
rd, and entered the river. Mr.Merriman pointed out to Desmond the island of Sagar, whither in the lateautumn the jogis came down in crowds to purify themselves in the saltwater, "and provide a meal for the tigers," he added. At Kalpi a largebarge, rowed by a number of men dressed in white, with pink sashes, cameto meet the _Hormuzzeer_.
"That's my budgero," said Merriman. "We'll get into it and row up toCalcutta in half the time it would take the ship. Each of us merchantshas his own budgero, and instead of putting our men in buttons with ourarms and all that nonsense, we give them coloured sashes--and don't ourwomen squabble about the colours, my boy, just don't they!"
In the budgero they passed the Dutch factory at Fulta, and the Subah'sforts at Budge Budge and Tanna. At Gobindpur's reach, Merriman pointedout the pyramid of stone that marked the limit of the Company'sjurisdiction. Soon the gardens of the British merchants came in sight,then the Company's docks, and at last the town of Calcutta, where theCompany's landing-stage was thronged with people awaiting the arrival ofthe budgero in the hope of getting news from home.
"There's Surendra Nath and his father," said Mr. Merriman, as they camenear the steps. His jolly face beamed when he stepped on to theghat.[#] "Hullo, Babu!" he said. "Glad to see you again." He shookhands with both the men; the elder was much like his son, aslightly-built Bengali, with white hair and very bright eyes. Both wereclad in dhotis of pure white; their legs were bare from the knee, theirfeet shod with sandals. When the greeting had passed between them andtheir master, the old man moved towards Desmond, put his hands together,and made a deep salaam.
[#] Landing-stage.
"I have heard what the sahib did for my son. I thank the sahib," hesaid.
"Yes, 'twas excellent good fortune for Surendra Nath," said Mr.Merriman. "I knew you would be overjoyed to see your son again. Buthow is the bibi,[#] and the chota[#] bibi?"
[#] Lady: _mem-sahib_ was not yet in use.
[#] Young.
"They were well, sahib, when last I heard. They are on a visit to WattsSahib, at Cossimbazar."
Merriman's face fell, but he had no time to say more, for he wasaccosted by a friend.
"Glad to see you back, Mr. Merriman. I've wanted your voice on theCouncil for some time past."
"Is anything wrong, Mr. Holwell?" asked Merriman anxiously.
"Everything is wrong. Alivirdi died a fortnight ago; Siraj-uddaula hasstepped into his shoes; and Drake has made a mess of everything, withManningham's and Frankland's assistance. I want you to come and dinewith me this evening; we must have a serious talk; I've asked two orthree men of our sort in anticipation of your consent."
"Very well. Let me present my friend Mr. Burke. He escaped from Gheria;you've heard that Colonel Clive captured the place?"
"Yes; we had despatches from Admiral Watson some days ago. I have heardof Mr. Burke's adventures; your servant, sir; I am delighted to meetyou. Well, Merriman, three o'clock; I will not detain you now; you'llwant to get home."
Mr. Merriman's bearers were at hand with his palanquin; he got into it;the men set off at a swinging pace, warning the bystanders with theircry of "Tok! Tok!" and Desmond walked by the side of the chair, amusedto watch the self-important airs of the peon who went in front. Theypassed the Fort and the Company's house, and arrived at length at atwo-storey flat-roofed house with a veranda, the windows filled, notwith oyster shells as at Bombay, but with thin screens of reeds.
"Here we are," said Merriman with a sigh of relief "Now I'll hand youover to the baniya[#]; he'll show you to your room. I'm vexed that mywife is not here; of course she didn't know when to expect me; and Mrs.Watts is an old friend of hers. 'Tis a relief in one way; for Mr. Wattsis a shrewd fellow--he's head of our factory at Cossimbazar, and seniormember of Council here--and he would have sent the ladies away if hescented danger. Sorry I shall have to leave you; I must dine with Mr.Holwell; he's our zamindar--judge of the Cutcheri court and collector oftaxes: a fine fellow, the most cool-headed man on the Council. But thekhansaman will give you something to eat: and I'll be back as soon as Ican. You can take it easy on the veranda, and you'll find a hookah ifyou care to try it."
[#] Factotum.
"No, thanks," said Desmond with a smile; "I've no fancy that way."
Shortly afterwards Mr. Merriman left the house in his palanquin, wearingthe short white calico jacket that was then _de rigueur_ at dinnerparties. It was late before he returned. There was an anxious andworried look on his face, but he said cheerily:
"Well, how have you been getting on?"
"I've been reading, sir: I found a volume of Mr. Fielding's _Amelia_,and 'twas a change to read after eighteen months without setting eyes ona book. I hope you had a good dinner."
"'Pon my soul I don't know. None of us know. I warrant. We had toomuch to talk about to think about our appetites. Two or three membersof Council were there, and Captain Minchin, the military commandant.Things are looking black, Desmond. Alivirdi is dead, and, as Iexpected, his scoundrel of a grandson, Siraj-uddaula, is the new Subah.He has imprisoned one of his rivals, his aunt, and is marching againstanother, his cousin Shaukat Jung; and 'tis the common talk that our turnwill come next."
"But why should he be at odds with us?"
"Why, to begin with, he's a native and hates us; thinks we're too rich;and though he's rich enough he would like to get what we have and turnus out. Then our president Mr. Drake has acted in the weakest possibleway; the very way to encourage the Subah. Instead of siding withSiraj-uddaula from the first, as he might well have done, because therivals never had the ghost of a chance, he shilly-shallied. Then heoffended him by giving shelter to a fellow named Krishna Das, who camein a month ago with fifty sacks of treasure from Murshidabad; it reallybelonged to the Subah's aunt, but the Subah had an eye on it and he'sfurious at losing it. That wasn't enough. Mr. Watts at Cossimbazar hadwarned the Council here of the new Subah's unfriendliness; they talk atMurshidabad of our weak defences and how easy it would be to overcomeus. He advised Mr. Drake to keep on good terms with the Subah; but whatmust he do but turn out of the place a man named Narayan Das, thebrother of the new Nawab's chief spy."
"Sure you don't allow the enemy's spies to live in Calcutta?"
"Sure we can't help ourselves. The place is full of them--spies of theSubah, and of the French too. We can't do anything. We may suspect,but if we raised a hand we should stir up a hornets' nest, as indeed Mr.Drake appears to be doing. But that isn't all. The Company's ship_Delaware_ came in a fortnight ago with the news that a French fleet isfitting out under Count Lally, at Brest; 'tis supposed war will breakout again and the fleet is intended to attack us here. So that we mayhave the Subah making common cause with the French to crush us. He'llturn against the French then, but that won't save us. On top of thatcomes a fakir from Murshidabad demanding in the Subah's name that weshould stop work on our fortifications; the insolence of the wretchpasses all bounds. Mr. Drake properly refused the demand; he said wewere repairing our defences in case we needed 'em against the French;but he undertook not to start any new works, which was a mistake.Altogether, Desmond, things are in a pretty mess. I'm afraid Mr. Drakeis not the man to cope with a grave situation; but he has the majorityof the Council with him, and we can't alter it. Now I think we hadbetter turn in; perhaps I shall feel better after a good sleep; I amcertainly far from easy in mind."
Desmond slept like a top on his light mattress, enveloped in hismosquito curtains. In the morning he accompanied Mr. Merriman to hisdaftarkhanah,[#] where he found a large staff under the superintendenceof the muhri,[#] Surendra Nath's father. He returned to the house fortiffin, spent the afternoon indoors over his novel, and after the threeo'clock dinner accompanied his host in a walk through the Englishquarter.
[#] Office.
[#] Chief clerk.
As they returned, Mr. Merriman suggested that they should walk down toMr. Watts' house near the river to see if any news had arrived fromCossimbazar. On the way they passed a lar
ge pakka[#] house, surroundedby a compound and a low wall.
[#] Substantial.
"We were talking yesterday about spies," said Merriman. "In that houselives a man who in my belief is a spy, and a treacherousscoundrel--actually living next door to Mr. Eyre, the keeper of ourmilitary stores. He's a Sikh named Omichand, and the richest merchantin the city. He owns half of it; he's my landlord, confound him! Forforty years he was the contractor for supplying the Company with cloth,but we found out that he was cheating us right and left, and dismissedhim. Yet he's very friendly to us, which is a bad sign. 'Twas he whobrought Krishna Das with his treasure into the place, and my belief is,he did it merely to embroil us with the Subah. Mr. Drake is disposed topooh-pooh the idea, but I incline to Mr. Holwell's opinion, thatOmichand's a schemer and a villain, ready to betray us to French, Dutch,or Gentoos as it suits him."
"Why don't you turn him out, then?" asked Desmond.
"My dear boy, he's far too powerful. And we'd rather keep him in sight.While he's here we can tell something of what is going on; his house ispretty well watched; but if he were away he might try all manner oftricks and we should never learn anything about them. Our policy is tobe very sweet to him--to make friends of the mammon of unrighteousness,as Mr. Bellamy, our padre, puts it. You're bound to see him one ofthese days, the hoary-headed old villain."
Though Mr. Merriman fully relied on Mr. Watts' discretion to send hisvisitors back to Calcutta if there were the least sign of danger, he wasso anxious to have his wife and daughter with him that next day he senta special messenger up the river asking them to return as soon as theycould. He could not fetch them, public affairs not allowing him toleave Calcutta at once, but he promised to meet them somewhere on theway. He spent the day in making himself acquainted with the businessthat had been done during his absence. A valuable consignment of silks,muslins, and taffeties was expected from Cossimbazar, he learnt, and assoon as it arrived the _Hormuzzeer_ would be able to sail for Penang.
"A private venture," he said to Desmond, "nothing to do with theCompany."
Desmond expressed his surprise that the Company's officials were atliberty to engage in private trading.
"Why, bless you, how could we live otherwise? Do you imagine I got richon the Company? What do you suppose my salary is as member of Council?'Tis just forty pounds. The factors get fifteen and the writers five:Colonel Clive began at five pounds a year: so you may guess that we haveto do something to keep flesh on our bones. And that reminds me of aproposal I wished to make to you. You have a little money from the saleof the Pirate's grab, and you'll have more by and by when the Gheriaprize-money is distributed. Why not put some of it into the_Hormuzzeer_? Let me buy some goods for you, and send 'em to Penang:they'll fetch top prices there in the present state of trade. 'Twill bean excellent investment."
"Thank you, sir, I'll be glad to follow your advice."
"That's right. I'll see about it at once, and the sooner these thingscome from Cossimbazar the better. The delay is vexing, and I fear I'llhave to change my agent there."
Mr. Merriman being so much occupied with business and public affairs,Desmond had much time to himself. He soon made friends among the juniormerchants and factors, and in their company went about Calcutta. FortWilliam was built near the river, the factory house in the centre of theenclosure. Around it on three sides were the houses of individualmerchants and officers. A wide avenue known as the Lai Bazar led fromthe ravelin of the fort past the court-house to the native part of thetown. On one side of the avenue was the Park or Lai Bagh, with a greattank by which a band played in the evening. Around the town was theincomplete Maratha ditch.
Desmond became the object of much kindly attention from the Company'sservants and their families. Every one was eager to hear from his ownlips the story of his adventures, and invitations to dinners and routsand card parties poured upon him. He accepted a few and politelyexcused himself from the rest, not from any want of sociability, butfrom motives of prudence. His kind host had already given him afriendly warning; some of the writers and younger servants of theCompany were wild spirits, and spent more time than was good for them incards and revels.
On the evening of the third day after landing he went down to the riverto watch the arrival of some country vessels. There was the usual crowdat the ghat, and as Desmond gradually worked his way through it hesuddenly saw, just in front of him, two men whose backs were veryfamiliar. They were in the dress of seamen: one was tall and thin, theother broad and brawny, and Desmond did not need his glimpse of the ironhook to be sure that the men were none other than his old friend Bulgerand Mr. Toley, the melancholy mate. They were standing side by side,watching in silence the arrival of the boats.
Desmond edged his way to them until he was within arm's length ofBulger's hook. He stood for a moment looking at them, imagining theirsurprise when they saw him, wondering if their pleasure would be as keenas his own. Both appeared rather battered; Mr. Toley's expression wasnever merry, and he was neither more nor less melancholy than usual; butBulger's habitual cheerfulness seemed to have left him; his air wasmoody and downcast. How came they here? The _Good Intent_ being aninterloper, it was not at all likely that she had ventured to put in atCalcutta.
By and by Bulger seemed to become aware that some one was gazing at him,for he turned round slowly. Desmond could not but smile at hisextraordinary change of expression. His first look of blank amazementquickly gave place to one of almost boyish delight, and taking an eagerstep forward he exclaimed:
"By thunder, 'tis Mr. Burke or his ghost! Bless my heart! Ho! shakehands, matey; this is a sight for sad eyes!"
"Glad to see you, Bulger," said Desmond quietly; "and you too, Mr.Toley."
Mr. Toley had shown no surprise; but then, nothing ever surprised Mr.Toley.
"Sure I'm rejoiced," he said. "We had given you up for lost."
His hearty hand-grip was more convincing than his words, though, indeed,Desmond had good reason to know the real kindliness that always laybehind his outward solemnity of manner.
"You're better in togs than when I seed you last, sir," said Bulger,gripping his hand again. "Which you look quite the gentleman; got aberth as supercargo, sir?"
"Not yet, Bulger," replied Desmond, laughing. "How's Captain Barker?"
Bulger spat out a quid of tobacco and hitched up his breeches.
"I don't know how Captain Barker is, and what's more, I don't care," hesaid. "Me and Barker en't friends: leastways, not on speakin' terms;which I will say, hang Captain Barker, topsy-versy, any way you like;and I don't care who hears me."
"What has happened?"
"Happened! Why, sir, Mr. Toley'll tell you what happened. He knows thethus, therefore, and whereupon of it."
The good fellow was itching to tell, but in duty bound deferred to hissuperior officer.
"Go on, Bulger," said the American, "you've got a looser tongue thanme."
"Which I don't deny, sir. Two days ago--'twas at Chandernagore, wherethe _Good Intent's_ been laid up for a matter o' weeks--the captain hewent an' forgot hisself, sir; clean forgot hisself, an' lifted his handto Mr. Toley; ay, hit him, sir. Wunst it was, sir, on'y wunst; then'twas Mr. Toley his turn. Ah, an' I warrant Captain Barker's in hisbunk to-day. Never did I see sich a sight all the years I've beenafloat, an' that's sayin' something. There was captain spread out ondeck, sir, with his eyes bunged up an' a tooth or two that had losttheir bearin's, and all his bones wonderin' if they was ever goin' toget joined again. That's the why and wherefore of it, sir. Well, incourse, 'twas no kiss-an'-be-friends arter that; so, bein' in amounseer's place, Mr. Toley took French leave, which I did the same, andhere we are a-lookin' for a job.
"But Lor' bless me! what's happened to you, Mr. Burke? When you didn'tcome aboard at that there Gheria, Captain Barker he says, 'Log thatthere knave Burke a deserter,' says he. But I says to Mr. Toley, 'I maybe wrong, sir,' says I, 'but I lay my whiskers that Diggle has been an'sold h
im to the Pirate, an' that's the last we shall ever see of as nicea young fellow as ever hauled on a hawser.' How did you get out of thePirate's den, sir?"
"That's a long story, Bulger. I'll tell you all in good time. You'relooking for a job, are you? Well, I happen to know of a skipper here--agood man: maybe he'll have a berth for a seasoned salt like you. I'llpresent you to him, and I know he'll do what he can for you."
Before he left the men, Desmond took Mr. Toley aside.
"Mr. Toley," he said, "my friend Mr. Merriman wants a mate for one ofhis vessels, as I happen to know. You would be willing to sign on?"
"I would, sir. I'm a man of few words."
"Very well; come up to Mr. Merriman's house by the Rope Walk and we'llsee what he says."
That same day Mr. Merriman invited the American to dinner, and engagedhim, to Desmond's surprise, as first mate for the _Hormuzzeer_, withBulger as bo'sun.
"Don't look so blue," he said to Desmond when Mr. Toley had gone. "Hewill, of course, take your place. The fact is, I've taken a fancy toyou, and I think you can do better than by serving as mate on a countryvessel. Look in at the daftarkhanah sometimes, and get Surendra Nath toexplain something of our business methods."
He said no more at that time, and Desmond felt no little curiosity abouthis host's intentions.
One evening Desmond was sitting alone on the veranda, reading, awaitingMr. Merriman's return from a meeting of the Council to which he had beenhastily summoned. Hearing a footstep he looked up, and was surprised tosee, instead of Mr. Merriman, as he expected, Bulger hastening up withan air of excitement.
"Mr. Burke, sir, what d'you think I've seed? I could hardly believe myown eyes. I was walkin' down towards the fort when I seed two men goin'into a big house. They was Englishmen, leastways white men, and I may bewrong, but I bet my boots one on 'em was that there soft-speakin'villain Diggle."
"Diggle!" exclaimed Desmond, springing up. "You must be mistaken,Bulger."
"I may be wrong, sir, but I never remembers any time when I was."
"What house did he go into?"
"That I can't tell you, sir, not bein' sure o' my bearin's."
"But you could point it out?"
"'Course I could. Rather. Just so."
"Then I'll come along with you, and you can show me. If it is Diggle wemust have him arrested."
"True, an' I'll knot the rope for his neck."
"How long ago was this?"
"Not a quarter of an hour, sir. I comed up at once."
The two set off together. They quickly reached the house; Desmondrecognized it as Omichand's. The evening was closing in, but no lightswere visible through the chiks[#] that covered the windows. WhileDesmond was considering, two figures stepped down from the veranda andwalked rapidly across the compound towards the gate in the wall. At thefirst glance Desmond saw that Bulger had not been mistaken. The tallerof the two figures was disguised, but it was impassible to mistake thegloved right hand. It was Diggle to a certainty.
[#] Hanging screens made of thin strips of bamboo.
"Are you game to capture them?" said Desmond.
Bulger grunted and gave a twist to his hook.
"I'll take Diggle," added Desmond: "you go for the other man."
They waited in the shadow of the wall. The gate opened, the two mencame out, and in an instant Desmond and his companion dashed forward.Taken by surprise, the men had no time to defend themselves. With hisleft hand Desmond caught at Diggle's sword-arm, and pointing his rapierat his heart, said:
"You are my prisoner, Mr. Diggle."
At the same moment Bulger had caught the second man by the throat, andraising his formidable hook, cried:
"Heave to, matey, or I'll spoil your mug for you."
The man uttered an exclamation in French, which ended in a wheeze asBulger's strong fingers clutched his windpipe. But the next moment anunlooked-for diversion occurred. Attracted by the sound of the rapidscuffle, a number of natives armed with lathis[#] rushed across thecompound into the street, and came swiftly to the rescue. Desmond andhis companion had perforce to release their prisoners and turn to defendthemselves. With their backs against the wall they met the assailants;Desmond with his rapier, Bulger with his hook, dexterously warding offthe furious blows of the excited natives. Diggle and the Frenchman tookinstant advantage of the opportunity to slip away, and the Englishmenhad already got home more than one shrewd thrust, provoking yells ofpain from the attackers, when the onslaught suddenly ceased, and thenatives stood rigid, as if under a spell. Looking round, Desmond saw atthe gate a bent old figure with dusky wrinkled face and prominent eyes.He wore a turban in which a jewel sparkled, and his white garment wasgirt with a yellow sash.
[#] Bludgeons.
"What is this, sahib?" he said severely in careful English, addressingDesmond.
"'Tis pretty plain what it is," said Desmond somewhat hotly; "we havebeen set upon by these six ruffians----"
The new-comer motioned with his hand, and the men slunk away.
"I regret, sahib. The men are badmashes; Calcutta is unhappily in adisturbed state."
"Badmashes or not, they came from your house--if this is your house."
"It is my house, sahib. My name is Omichand. I must inquire how thebadmashes came to be in my compound. I fear my darwan is at fault."
"And what about the two men?"
"The two men, sahib?"
"Yes, the two Europeans who came first from the house, and wereprotected by these ruffians?"
"You must be mistaken, sahib. English sahibs do not visit at the housesof Indian gentlemen. If the sahib had been longer in Calcutta he wouldknow that."
A smile flickered on the Indian's face, but it was gone instantly.Desmond was nonplussed. It was useless to contradict the merchant; hewas clearly not disposed to give any information; Diggle was gone. Allhe could do was to return and report the matter to Mr. Merriman.
"Come along, Bulger," he said, with an unceremonious gesture toOmichand. "We can do no good here."
"The old Ananias!" growled Bulger, as they walked away. "What inthunder is Diggle's game here? I'd give a year's baccy to have a chansto' usin' my hook on him."
Mr. Merriman looked grave when he heard what had happened.
"To think of that villain once more escaping our clutches! The otherfellow was a Frenchman, you say? There's mischief brewing. Sure if Iwas president I'd be tempted to arrest that wily old Omichand. Not thatit would be of much use probably. Peloti is a bold fellow to venturehere. You are sure 'twas he?"
"Absolutely. His disguise was good; he has altered his face in someway, and his dress is altogether changed; but I couldn't mistake thecovered hand."
"'Tis an odd thing, that mitten. Probably it conceals some defect; theman's as vain as a peacock. The mitten is a thing by which he may betraced, and I'll send my peons to start inquiries to-morrow. But I'vesomething to say to you; something to propose. The _Hormuzzeer_ isready to sail, save for that consignment at Cossimbazar I mentioned. Myagent there is an Armenian named Coja Solomon; I've employed him forsome years and found him trustworthy; but I can't get delivery of thesegoods. I've sent two or three messengers to him, asking him to hurry,but he replies that there is some difficulty about the dastaks--papersauthorizing the despatch of goods free from customs duty. Now, will yougo up the river and see what is causing the delay? I'll give you anintroduction to Mr. Watts; he will do all he can for you, though nodoubt his hands are full. You can take Surendra Nath with you tointerpret; and you had better have some armed peons as an escort, andperhaps a number of men we can trust to work the boats if you canrelease the goods. Are you willing?"
"I will gladly do anything I can, sir. Indeed, I wished for anopportunity to see something of the country."
"You may see too much! I'd say beware of tigers, but Surendra Nath isso desperately timid that you can depend on him not to lead you intodanger."
"The _Hormuzzeer_ will not sail until I
return?"
"Not till the goods arrive. Why do you ask?"
"I should like to take Bulger with me. He's a good companion, with ashrewd head----"
"And a useful hook. I have no objection. You will be ready to startto-morrow, then. You must be up early: travelling will be impossible inthe heat of the day."
"At dawn, sir."