"And the sahib found it? Oh, then I am relieved. I am preserved from pangs of mutual regret!" "Why didn't you give that note to Colonel Kirby sahib when you had the chance? Eh?" asked Warrington, keeping firm hold of him. "Sahib! Your honor! Not being yet remunerated on account of ring and verbal message duly delivered, commercial precedent was all on my side that I should retain further article of value pending settlement. Now, I ask you--" "Where was Ranjoor Singh when he gave you that ring and message?" demanded Warrington sternly, increasing his grip on the babu's fat arm. "Sahib, when I have received payment for first service rendered, my disposition may be changed. I am as yet in condition of _forma pauperis._" Still holding him tight, Warrington produced twenty rupees in paper money. "Can you see those, _babuji_? See them? Then earn them!" "Oh, my God, sahib, I have positivelee earned a lakh of rupees this night already!" "Where was Risaldar-Major Ranjoor Singh when he--" Footsteps were approaching--undoubtedly a guard on his way to investigate. The babu seemed to sense Warrington's impatience. "Sahib," he said, "I am very meek person, having family of wife and children all dependent. Is that rupees twenty? I would graciously accept same, and positivelee hold my tongue!" The steps came nearer. "I was on my way to D Squadron quarters, sahib, to narrate story and pass begging bowl. Total price of story rupees twenty. Or else the sahib may deliver me to guard, and guard shall be regaled free gratis with full account of evening's amusement? Yes?" The steps came nearer yet. Recognizing an officer, the men halted a few paces away. "Sahib, for sum of rupees twenty I could hold tongue for twenty years, unless in meantime deceased, in which case--" "Take 'em!" ordered Warrington; and the babu's fingers shut tight on the money. "Guard!" ordered Warrington. "Put this babu out into the street!" "Good night, sahib!" said the babu. "Kindlee present my serious respects to the colonel sahib. Salaam, sahib!" But Warrington had gone into the darkness. The Four Winds come, the Four Winds go, (Ye wise o' the world, oh, listen ye!), Whispering, whistling what they know, Wise, since wandering made them so (Ye stay-at-homes, oh, listen ye!). Ever they seek and sift and pry-- Listening here, and hurrying by-- Restless, ceaseless--know ye why? (Then, wise o' the world, oh, listen ye!) The goal of the search of the hurrying wind Is the key to the maze of a woman's mind, (And there is no key! Oh, listen ye!) YASMINI'S SONG. CHAPTER VIII