"That? Oh, that!" said the babu. "That is veree simplee told. That is simple little matter. There is nothing untoward in that connection. Risaldar-Major Ranjoor Singh, who is legal owner of ring, same being his property, gave it into my hand." "When?" Both men demanded to know that in one voice. "Sahibs, having no means of telling time, how can I guess?" "How long ago? About how long ago?" "Being elderly person of advancing years and much, adipose tissue, I am not able to observe more than one thing at a time. And yet many things have been forced on my attention. I do not know how long ago." "Since I saw you outside the barrack gate?" demanded Warrington. "Oh, yes. Oh, certainly. By all means!" "Less than two hours ago, then, sir!" said Warrington, looking at his watch. "Then he isn't burned to death!" said Kirby, with more satisfaction than he had expressed all the evening. "Oh, no, sir! Positivelee not, sahib! The risaldar-major is all vitalitee!" "Where did he give you the ring?" "Into the palm of my hand, sahib." "Where--in what place--in what street--at whose house?" "At nobody's house, sahib. It was in the dark, and the dark is very big." "Did he give it you at Yasmini's?" "Oh, no, sahib! Positivelee not!" "Where is he now?" "Sahib, how should I know, who am but elderly person of no metaphysical attainments, only failed B.A.?" "What did he say when he gave it to you?" "Sahib, he threatened me!" "Confound you, what did he say?" "He said, '_Babuji_, present this ring to Colonel Kirby sahib. You will find him, _babuji_, where you will find him, but in any case you will lose no time at all in finding him. When you have given the ring to him he will ask you questions, and you will say Ranjoor Singh said, "All will presently be made clear"; and should you forget the message, _babuji_, or should you fail to find him soon, there are those who will make it their urgent business, _babuji_, to open that belly of thine and see what is in it!' So, my God, gentlemen! I am veree timid man! I have given the ring and the message, but how will they know that I have given it? I did not think of that! Moreover, I am unrewarded--I have no emolument--as yet!" "How will _who_ know?" demanded Warrington. "They, sahib." "Who are they?" asked Kirby. "The men who will investigate the inside of my belly, sahib. Oh, a belly is so sensitive! I am afraid!" "Did he tell you who 'they' were?" "No, sahib. Had he done so, I would at once have sought police protection. Not knowing names of individuals, what was use of going to police, who would laugh at me? I went to Yasmini, who understands all things. She laughed, too; but she told me where is Colonel Kirby sahib." Colonel Kirby became possessed of a bright idea, his first since Yasmini had thrown her spell over him. "Could you find the way," he asked, "from here to wherever it was that Risaldar-Major Ranjoor Singh gave you that ring?"