Strangely enough, it occurred to nobody to wonder why the Maharajah
had so suddenly changed his mind. To nobody, that is, except Sonny
Sahib. He guessed the reason, and sitting all morning in a corner
of the Colonel's tent, as he had been told, he thought about it
very seriously. Once or twice he had to swallow a lump in his
throat to help him to think. The Maharajah's reason was that he
supposed that Sonny Sahib had told the English about Lalpore's
ammunition; and that, under the circumstances, was enough to bring
lumps into anybody's throat.
The Colonel was very busy, and took no notice of him, except to say
that he should have some dinner. He heard talk of the Maharajah's
visit and of the durbar, and he revolved that too. When the time
came, Sunni had concluded that he also must go to the durbar. He
said so to Colonel Starr.
'Nonsense!' said the Colonel. 'And yet,' he added reflectively,
'it might be useful to have you there. I daresay you will be safe
enough. You are not afraid?'
Sunni said he was not afraid. So they all went, and the Maharajah,
rising from his ivory chair, received them with much state and
ceremony. He frowned when he saw Sunni, but said nothing. His
Highness felt that he was not in a position to resent anything, and
thought bitterly of Petroff Gortschakin.
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