This Swiss woman is fond of gewgaws,
he tells me. I will let Ram Lal 'squeeze' the Madame's household
accounts to his heart's content. If the Swiss woman is susceptible,
she can be delicately bribed with jewels paid for by my haughty
employer's money, and my feeding this 'bucksheesh' out to Ram Lal
liberally may bring him to talk of the old days. I must give Hugh
Johnstone the idea that I am inside the official secrets as to the
affair of the Baronetcy. Fear will make him bend, if he is guilty,
and I will alarm Ram Lal at the right time. If they have any old
bond of union, the ex-Commissioner may turn to me for help, and
all this will bring me nearer to the still heart-whole woman who
is hidden in that marble prison. I will make my strongest running
on the Swiss woman. Once the bond of friendly secrecy established
between us, she can be fed, bit by bit, for then she dare not break
away."
Ram Lal Singh was the last watcher in Delhi who coveted a glimpse
that night into the dim future. The old schemer sat alone in his
favorite den in rear of the shop. His round, black eyes surveyed
complacently his faithful domestics, sleeping on the floor at the
threshold of the doors of the four rooms opening into the central
hall of his shop. A single clap of his hands, and these faithful
retainers were ready to rise, tulwar in hand, and cut down any
intruder.
The old jewel merchant's eye roved over the medley of priceless
bric-a-brac in the main hall.
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