"Conceivablee yes, sahib."
"Then tell the driver where to turn!"
"I could direct with more discernment from box-seat," said the babu,
with a hand on the door.
"No, you don't!" commanded Warrington.
"Let go that handle! What I want to know is why were you so afraid
at Yasmini's?"
"I, sahib?"
"Yes, you! I saw your face in a mirror, and you were scared nearly
to death. Of what?"
"Who is not afraid of Yasmini? Were the sahibs not also afraid?"
"Of what besides Yasmini were you afraid? Of what in particular?"
"Of her cobras, sahib!"
"What of them?" demanded Warrington, with a reminiscent shudder.
"Certain of her women showed them to me."
"Why?"
"To further convince me, sahib, had that been necessary. Oh, but I
was already quite convinced. Bravery is not my _vade mecum!_"
"Confound the man! To convince you of what?"
"That if I tell too much one of those snakes will shortlee be my
bedmate. Ah! To think of it causes me to perspirate with sweat.
Sahibs, that is a--"
"You shall go to jail if you don't tell me what I want to know!"
said Kirby.
"Ah, sahib, I was jail clerk once--dismissed for minor offenses but
cumulative in effect. Being familiar with inside of jail, am able to
make choice."
"Get on the box-seat with him!" commanded Kirby. "Let him show the
driver where to turn.
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