A precious load indeed, sir. This delay is naturally a
cause of vexation to my distinguished superior, but it is not due to any
idleness or inattention on my part. It is caused by the surprising
difficulty of getting the dastaks countersigned by the Faujdar {officer
in command of troops, and also a magistrate}--Without his signature, as
you know, the goods can not be removed. I dare not venture."
"But why didn't the Faujdar sign the papers?"
"That I cannot tell. I send messengers to him: they come back: the
Faujdar is much occupied with the Nawab's business, but he will attend to
this little matter as soon as he has leisure. He calls it a little
matter; and so it is, perhaps, if we remember that the Nawab's wealth is
reckoned by millions; but it is not a little matter to Mr. Merriman, and
I deeply deplore the unfortunate delay."
"Well, be good enough to send another message at once. Represent to the
Faujdar that Mr. Merriman's ship is prevented from sailing until the
goods reach Calcutta, and that this causes great inconvenience and loss."
Here the Babu whispered in his ear.
"Yes, and add--you will know how to put it--that if the dastaks are sent
off immediately, the Faujdar will receive from Mr. Merriman a suitable
gratification."
The Armenian rubbed his hands and smilingly assented; but Desmond, who
had had some practice in reading faces since he left Market Drayton
eighteen months before, felt an uneasy suspicion that Coja Solomon was a
scamp.
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