"Absolutely. His disguise was good; he has altered his face in some way, and his dress is altogether changed; but I couldn’t mistake the covered hand." "’Tis an odd thing, that mitten. Probably it conceals some defect; the man’s as vain as a peacock. The mitten is a thing by which he may be traced, and I’ll send my peons to start inquiries to-morrow. But I’ve something to say to you; something to propose. The _Hormuzzeer_ is ready to sail, save for that consignment at Cossimbazar I mentioned. My agent there is an Armenian named Coja Solomon; I’ve employed him for some years and found him trustworthy; but I can’t get delivery of these goods. I’ve sent two or three messengers to him, asking him to hurry, but he replies that there is some difficulty about the dastaks--papers authorizing the despatch of goods free from customs duty. Now, will you go up the river and see what is causing the delay? I’ll give you an introduction to Mr. Watts; he will do all he can for you, though no doubt his hands are full. You can take Surendra Nath with you to interpret; and you had better have some armed peons as an escort, and perhaps a number of men we can trust to work the boats if you can release the goods. Are you willing?" "I will gladly do anything I can, sir. Indeed, I wished for an opportunity to see something of the country." "You may see too much! I’d say beware of tigers, but Surendra Nath is so desperately timid that you can depend on him not to lead you into danger." "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 a shrewd head----" "And a useful hook. I have no objection. You will be ready to start to-morrow, then. You must be up early: travelling will be impossible in the heat of the day." "At dawn, sir." CHAPTER THE TWENTIETH *In which there are recognitions and explanations; and our hero meets one Coja Solomon, of Cossimbazar* At sunrise next morning Desmond found his party awaiting him at the Causeway beyond the Maratha ditch. The natives salaamed when he came up in company with Mr. Merriman, and Bulger pulled his forelock. "Mornin,’ sir; mornin’; I may be wrong, but ’tis my belief we’re goin’ to have a bilin’ hot day, and I’ve come accordin’." He was clad in nothing but shirt and breeches, with his coat strapped to his back, and a hat apparently improvised out of cabbage leaves. The natives were all in white, with their employer’s pink ribands. Some were armed with matchlocks and pikes; others carried light cooking utensils; others groceries for the Englishmen’s use; for their own food they depended on the villages through which they would pass.