"The plan was to kidnap a trooper, or two troopers--to tempt him, or
them--and, should they prove incorruptible, to give them certain work
to do. And what have you done?"
Yasmini laughed at him--merry, mocking laughter that stung him
because it was so surely genuine. She did not need to tell him in
words that she was not afraid of him; she could laugh in his face and
make the truth sink deeper.
"And now what will the _burra_ sahib do?" she mocked. "There is
war--a great war--a war of all the world--but Yasmini fired a rat-run
and avenged a murdered Sikh. First let us punish Yasmini! Shall I
send for police to arrest me, _burra_ sahib? Or shall I send a
maid in search of babu Sita Ram that the game may continue?"
"What do you want Sita Ram for?"
"Sita Ram is nearly always useful, sahib. He is on a message now. He
is a fool who likes to meddle where he _thinks_ none notice him.
Such are the sort who cost least and work the longest hours. Who, for
instance, sahib, is to balk Kirby sahib when he grows suspicious and
begins to search in earnest for his Ranjoor Singh? He knew that
Ranjoor Singh was at the House-of-the-Eight-Half-brothers; there was
a man on watch outside. He will come here next, for Ranjoor Singh has
been reported to him as having talked with Germans in my house.
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