The jamadars with glowering eyes turned from the Dewan, even the harsh salaam they uttered in going sounded like a curse. And when they had gone, Baptiste was startled by a gurgling laugh bubbling up from the Dewan's fat throat. "Sirdar," he chuckled, "I've given that posing Rajput a poem to commit to memory. Ha-ha! They have two strong reasons now for going--their shame and lean stomachs." "They won't go," Baptiste declared. "When a man is afraid of anything he can find a thousand reasons for not making the endeavour. If Sindhia will give me the troops I will make an end of Amir Khan." "And make enemies of the Pindaris: that we do not want; we want them to fight with us, not against us. The great struggle is about to take place; Holkar and Bhonsla and Sindhia, perhaps even the King of Oudh, leagued together, the accursed English will be driven from India. But even now they are trying to win over Amir Khan and his hundred thousand horsemen by promises of territory and gold. With the Chief out of the way they would disband; he is a great leader, and they flock to his flag. You saw the Englishman, Captain Barlow?" "Yes, Dewani. Good soldier, I should say." "Well, Sirdar, we think that he waits here to undertake some mission to Amir Khan. You see, no office can be conducted without clerks, and sometimes clerks talk." The Frenchman twisted nervously at his slim grey moustache. "I comprehend, Dewani," he said presently; "it is expedient that Amir Khan be eliminated." "It would be a merciful thing," Sewlal added--"it would save bloodshed." "Well, Dewani, I must depart now. It will be interesting to see what your Bagrees do, especially when they become hungry." CHAPTER V For two days the Bagrees sat nursing their wrath at the reproaches of Dewan Sewlal. And the Dewan, in spite of his bold denunciation of the decoits, was uneasy. If they went back to Karowlee with a story of ill treatment, of broken promises, that hot-headed old Rajput would turn against Sindhia. And the present policy of the Mahratta Confederacy was to secure allies in the revolt against the British which was being secretly planned. The Dewan was also afraid of Nana Sahib. He saw in that young man a coming force. The Peshwa was actually the ruler of Mahrattaland; he had a commanding influence because he was the head of the Brahmins--the Brahmins were the real power--and his adopted son, his inborn subtle nature developed by his residence in England, now had great influence over him. The Dewan knew that; and if he failed to carry out this mission of removing the dangerous one from Nana Sahib's path it might cost him his place as Minister. In his perplexity the Dewan asked Baptiste to formulate some excuse for getting Nana Sahib up to Chunda--some matter affecting the troops, so that he might casually get a sustaining suggestion from the wily Prince.