The Far Pavilions - Mary Margaret Kaye [384]
There was nothing unusual about this, except that always before any packing that had to be done was left to Gul Baz, and there was generally far more of it than could be contained in that small roll of canvas: several changes of clothing, for a start. But this time Gul Baz saw that the Sahib meant to travel light, and was taking only a cake of soap, a razor and a single country-made blanket in addition to his service revolver and fifty rounds. There were also four small and disproportionately heavy cardboard boxes, each containing fifty rounds of rifle ammunition.
Recognizing these, Gul Baz had allowed himself to hope that the Sahib was only going on another trip to the Gir Forest – though why he should take the revolver and need such a vast amount of ammunition…
The hope died as Ash went over to the dressing-table, and unlocking a drawer, took out and pocketed a small pistol and a handful of rounds (items that he could certainly have no use for on any shooting expedition) and a tin cash-box that he emptied onto the table, remarking that it was a stroke of luck that Haddon-Sahib should have decided to pay cash for the two polo-ponies, as it would save him a trip to the bank. He began to sort it into separate piles of gold, silver and notes, counting under his breath, and did not look up when Gul Baz said heavily, and not as a question: ‘The Sahib goes to Bhithor, then.’
‘Yes,’ said Ash ‘– though that is for your ear alone… three fifty, four hundred, four fifty-nine, five… six -’
‘I knew it,’ exclaimed Gul Baz bitterly. ‘This was what Mahdoo-ji was always afraid of; and on the day that I saw that hakim from Karidkote drive up to this bungalow I knew that the old one had been right to be afraid. Do not go, Sahib, I beg of you. No good can come of meddling in the affairs of that ill-omened place.’
Ash shrugged and went on counting, and presently Gul Baz said: ‘Then if you must, at least let me go with you. And Kulu Ram also.’
Ash looked up to smile and shake his head. ‘I would if I could. But it would not be safe – you might be recognized.’
‘And what of yourself?’ retorted Gul Baz angrily. ‘Do you suppose they will have forgotten you so soon, when you gave them such good cause to remember you?’
‘Ah, but this time I shall not be going to Bhithor as a Sahib. I shall go in the guise of a boxwallah; or a traveller on pilgrimage to the temples at Mount Abu. Or perhaps a hakim from Bombay… yes, I think a hakim might be best, as that will give me an excuse to meet a fellow doctor, Gobind Dass. And you can be sure that no one will know me – though some might know you, and more would know Kulu Ram, who often rode with me to the city. Besides, I shall not be going alone. I shall have Manilal with me.’
‘That fat fool!’ said Gul Baz with a scornful sniff.
Ash laughed and said: ‘Fat he may be, but fool he is not: of that I can assure you. If he chooses to let people think him one, it is for a good reason, and believe me, I shall be safe in his hands. Now let me see, where was I? – Seven hundred… seven eighty… eight… nine hundred… one sixty-two –’ He finished counting the money, and having stowed away a large part of it in the pockets of his riding coat, returned the rest to the cash-box and handed it to Gul Baz, who received it in grim silence.
‘Well, there you are, Gul Baz. That should be more than enough to cover the wages and expenses of the household until I return.’
‘And what if you do not?’ demanded Gul Baz stonily.
‘I have left two letters which you will find in the small top drawer of my desk. If after six weeks I have not returned and you have received no word from me, give them to Pettigrew-Sahib of the police. He will act upon them and see that you and the others do not suffer any hardship. But you need not worry: I shall come back. Now