“’Sh! He has established a satisfactory alibi, at any rate.” Dick helped Georgia into the cart and took the reins, and they were well on the road home before he spoke again. “It is the killing of the servant that’s the most suspicious feature to me. It would be just like Bahram Khan to bribe him to murder his master on the understanding that his escape should be secured, and then to make matters safe by bribing the rest to put him out of the way.” “But surely that would only involve admitting more into the secret?” “What secret? Bahram Khan is anxious for his cousin’s safety, and charges the servants to show no mercy to any one that attacks him. The utmost you could prove against him would be an idea that an attempt on his life might be made--not even a guilty knowledge, far less instigation.” “How did he receive the news?” “In the most orthodox way, deep but restrained grief. He must go to Nalapur to be present at the funeral and comfort his bereaved uncle, he told Burgrave, just as if his uncle would not sooner see a man-eater come to comfort him. How Burgrave received the news, you heard.” “Yes. His manner was indecently callous, I thought.” “Oh no. His saying what he did was one of his calculated indiscretions, like unveiling his policy to Timson coming up. No papers here, you see, so he must make his revelations by word of mouth. Ugh! the man turns me sick. Did you notice his bit of by-play with Mab?” “She didn’t realise what you meant, Dick. Things here are so new to her, you know.” “Oh, why should a man be doomed to have a fool for a sister? If I had said to you what I said to her you would have understood.” “Perhaps Mab hasn’t studied you as closely as I have.” “No, the Commissioner is her object of study at present. Nice cheerful prospect, isn’t it--to have that chap for a brother-in-law?” “Ye-es,” said Georgia hesitatingly, “but I’m not quite sure it will be that, Dick. I think there’s some one else.” “And the Commissioner is only making the pace for him? No, no, Georgie; that’s a little too thick. Of course I know there are dozens of others, but who is there that has a chance against Burgrave?”