things besides countersignin' passports. Well—we'll be ready three months from to-d'y, and Al Nakia ain't goin' to 'ave a permit for as much as the importytion of a second-'and machine-gun—not 'e!”
“But he has something else, Higgins,” said Tollemache.
“Wot?”
“The confidence and trust of the people.”
“Blast the people!”
“I tell you the old troublemakers, even Koom Khan and Gulabian, are with him.”
“They won't be after you win jolly bloody victory and make jolly old sizzlin' entrance as the 'Expected One,' saheb,” said the Babu.
“Correct,” the Cockney agreed. “You just give us one victory, as we're sure to 'ave, and then we'll spring the news on them benighted 'eathens that you're the real cheese, and that the other guy ain't nothin' but a smelly bit o' Cheddar rind. You just w'yt. Glad you took my advice and kept aw'y from the palace”—he added—“damned glad.”
He heaved a sigh of relief.
For, shortly after their arrival at Abderrahman Yahiah Khan's headquarters following Bansi's telegram that Al Nakia was on his way to Tamerlanistan, the millionaire had put his cards—most of them—on the table. He had spoken to Tollemache Wade of the ancient prophecy of the swords and had suggested a deal by the terms of which Tamerlanistan should be conquered, Tollemache should marry the princess Aziza Nurmahal and then, to repay his obligations to Mr. Preserved Higgins, grant the Anglo-American
