Then the gravity of his charge appeared to overcome the subahdar's
scruples. Gathering his robes close about him, he stepped to the hatchway
and lowered himself into the hold.
"We must hasten," he said. "The ships of the Firangi may appear at any
moment, and I must be on the lookout.
"Meantime," he added to Hubbo, "you keep watch."
For a man of his build he was fairly active. Dropping on to the loose
earth, he scrambled over it towards the oil lamp by whose light the
mistri and his assistant were working.
"This, huzur," said Hossain, pointing to a circular cut in the planking
of the vessel, "is the new hole. It is not yet driven through, but if
your Excellency thinks it sufficient--"
The subahdar craned forward to examine it. "Khubber dar {look out}!" said
Desmond in a low voice.
Hossain had only waited for this signal. He threw himself on the stooping
subahdar and bore him to the floor, at the same time stuffing a gag
between his teeth. In a couple of minutes he was lying bound and
helpless. His ornate garment was but little sullied. It had been stripped
from him by the mistri, who hastily donned it over his own scanty
raiment, together with the subahdar's turban.
"How will that do, Hossain?" asked Desmond with a smile.
The serang held up the oil lamp to inspect him. With his other hand he
slightly altered the set of the turban and rearranged the folds of the
robe.
"That is excellent, sahib," he said. "A little more girth would perhaps
have been better, but in the distance no one will notice.
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