“If thou art silent, fool,” Ragunáth made an effort, “if thou art silent, I will let time and thine own folly betray thee; for it is not fitting that I should soil myself with the affairs of infidels and slaves.” And this last insult also, though he was obviously in the position to command, Fidá passed over. Was it because he knew that, for all his bravado, he was not himself innocent of treachery to his conqueror? CHAPTER VI CHURI Fidá had lived in the palace of Mandu for nearly a month before he had his first glimpse of one of the most important persons in the lower stratum of its life, a man with whom he was later to become but too familiar:—Churi, the eunuch. They beheld each other first, distantly, in the poppy field. On the evening of that same day they met again. It was about sunset, and Fidá was at the well in front of the house of slaves, washing out certain of the Rajah’s drinking vessels, when he became aware of a white-robed figure standing at his side, and, turning, gave a sudden start to find himself gazing into a pair of eyes one of which was of a lustrous brown, the other of a pale, greenish hue. The owner of the eyes smiled slightly; and then Fidá recalled Ahmed’s description of the doctor, he whose position ranked next to that of Kasya among the guardians of the zenana. “Thou art Churi,” observed Fidá, wondering if the man had seen him start. Churi nodded, and took thoughtful survey of the Mohammedan. During this look Fidá felt, uncomfortably, that his secret soul had been penetrated by those singular eyes. Churi’s words, however, when he spoke again, were simple enough: “Did Ragunáth trouble thee to-day?” Fidá smiled. “Nay. Why dost thou ask?” “His face boded thee no good when I saw it. He is a man scrupling not to lie.” “Have I lived a month in Mandu and know not that?” Churi chuckled. “Thou hast no need of help?” said he. “None.” “Then I will delay thee no longer. Yet remember that no slave in this palace need have any fear of that mighty counsellor.” Fidá shrugged. He felt himself suddenly put upon the status of a servant who discusses the persons whom he serves; and, furthermore, Churi’s words seemed to dispel the secret satisfaction he had felt in having outwitted Ragunáth that afternoon. Even these thoughts it is possible that Churi robbed him of; for, as the latter turned away, the smile was still upon his lips; nor did it wholly fade as he went back to his quarters, which were at the other end of the palace, beyond the zenana wing.