I can not remember it."
"Arjan Singh, you lie! Did I ever lie to you? Did I ever threaten
you and not carry out my threats--promise you and not keep my
promise? I am a soldier! Are you a cur?"
"God forbid, sahib! I--"
"Arjan Singh! Repeat that message to me word for word, please, not
as a favor, nor as obeying an order, but as a friend of Ranjoor Singh
to a friend of Ranjoor Singh!"
"The message was to the squadron, not to me, sahib."
"Are you not of the squadron?"
"Make it an order, sahib!"
"Certainly not--nor a favor either!"
"Sahib, I--"
"Nor will I threaten you! I guarantee you absolute immunity if you
refuse to repeat it. My word on it! I am Ranjoor Singh's friend, and
I ask of his friend!"
"The babu said: 'Says Ranjoor Singh, "Let the squadron be on its
best behavior! Let the squadron know that surely before the blood
runs he will be there to lead it, wherever it is! Meanwhile, let the
squadron be worthy of its salt and of its officers!"'"
"Was that all?" asked Warrington.
"All, sahib. May my tongue rot if I lie!"
"Thank you, Arjan Singh. That's all. You needn't mention our
conversation. Good night."
"Fooled," chuckled Warrington. "She's fooled us to the limit of our
special bent, and I take it that's stiff-neckedness!"
He hurried away toward Colonel Kirby's quarters, swinging his
lantern and humming to himself.
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