I agreed; though the heap under the cloth had looked neither one thing nor the other.

’If I call in all the servants they will stand fast in a crowd and lie like Aryans.  What do you suggest?’

’Call ’em in one by one,’ I said.

‘They’ll run away and give the news to all their fellows,’ said Strickland.  ’We must segregate ’em.  Do you suppose your servant knows anything about it?’

’He may, for aught I know; but I don’t think it’s likely.  He has only been here two or three days,’ I answered.  ‘What’s your notion?’

’I can’t quite tell.  How the dickens did the man get the wrong side of the ceiling-cloth?’

There was a heavy coughing outside Strickland’s bedroom door.  This showed that Bahadur Khan, his body-servant, had waked from sleep and wished to put Strickland to bed.

‘Come in,’ said Strickland.  ‘It’s a very warm night, isn’t it?’

Bahadur Khan, a great, green-turbaned, six-foot Mahomedan, said that it was a very warm night; but that there was more rain pending, which, by his Honour’s favour, would bring relief to the country.

‘It will be so, if God pleases,’ said Strickland, tugging off his boots.  ’It is in my mind, Bahadur Khan, that I have worked thee remorselessly for many days—–­ever since that time when thou first earnest into my service.  What time was that?’

’Has the Heaven-born forgotten?  It was when Imray Sahib went secretly to Europe without warning given; and I-even I-came into the honoured service of the protector of the poor.’

‘And Imray Sahib went to Europe?’

‘It is so said among those who were his servants.’

‘And thou wilt take service with him when he returns?’

‘Assuredly, Sahib.  He was a good master, and cherished his dependants.’

’That is true.  I am very tired, but I go buck-shooting to-morrow.  Give me the little sharp rifle that I use for black-buck; it is in the case yonder.’

The man stooped over the case; handed barrels, stock, and fore-end to Strickland, who fitted all together, yawning dolefully.  Then he reached down to the gun-case, took a solid-drawn cartridge, and slipped it into the breech of the ’360 Express.

’And Imray Sahib has gone to Europe secretly!  That is very strange, Bahadur Khan, is it not?’

‘What do I know of the ways of the white man.  Heaven-born?’

’Very little, truly.  But thou shalt know more anon.  It has reached me that Imray Sahib has returned from his so long journeyings, and that even now he lies in the next room, waiting his servant.’

‘Sahib!’

The lamplight slid along the barrels of the rifle as they levelled themselves at Bahadur Khan’s broad breast.

’Go and look!’said Strickland.  ’Take a lamp.  Thy master is tired, and he waits thee.  Go!’

The man picked up a lamp, and went into the dining-room, Strickland following, and almost pushing him with the muzzle of the rifle.  He looked for a moment at the black depths behind the ceiling-cloth; at the writhing snake under foot; and last, a gray glaze settling on his face, at the thing under the tablecloth.