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Deenah considered well, in soft tones saying presently that he could not accomplish this thing alone, but must advise with his fellow-servants who were trustworthy. In fact, if the Kabuli could come this afternoon when the Sahiba and the Hakima would be away and tell his story once more, in the presence of the utterly reliable among the servants all might be brought to pass.
The bazaars were but a little distance back, when he met Bhanah and Nels out for their evening exercise. . . . No, M'Cord-Sahib had not yet come. . . . Yes, all was quite well with the Hakima, Hantee-Sahiba, who was reading in the playhouse. . . . Quite alone. Skag quickened, but repressed himself again.
In some moments of the telling, it was like a phantom part of himself that he was questing for, through her words. Finally Skag heard that Carlin had spent eight years in England studying medicine and surgery, and again that the natives called her the Gul Moti, which means the Rose Pearl; or Hakima, which means physician. But her own name was Carlin!
The Bengali mahout, Chakkra, appeared; a sturdy little man with blue turban, red kummerband, and a scarf and tunic of white. The Deputy flicked away his cigarette and now spoke fast talk having to do with Nels, with the Hakima, with Gunpat Rao, who was his particular mahout's master, and of the strange elephant who had carried the two Sahibas away.
The servant had never seen such a spectacle the Hakima sitting with Hand-of-a-God and Son-of-Power, together on the lawn already wet with dew their knees almost touching. . . . "The like's not been known before, Lad even of a man with a sword," Malcolm M'Cord was saying. "You must have stood up to him two minutes.
Skag felt very sure that the priest would do this. "I will ask him. I can do no more. If the monkey still lives your cousin's only hope will be in your healing power, Hakima." "Wait I will go with you, now." Skag released his breath deeply when she had re-entered. Apparently she had not seen him so far. The old priest arose as the three approached the kadamba tree.
The Kabuli replied that he was not sure that the Sahiba would go to a Mohammedan house, even with her friend the Hakima, unless Deenah could assure his mistress that the Mohammedan was well known to him and honourable, his house an abode of fellowship and peace.
Deenah watched his mistress depart, then he raised his eyes to Carlin, saying: "The Hakima will understand. These things are not for the Sahiba " "Speak " Deenah arose, saying: "It is not good for you to set foot in my house, but come to the threshold; then neither my voice nor the voices of these shall enter her understanding " Deenah pointed to the rest of the servants who gathered around.
Carlin asked if she were needed at once thinking of the many days and the train at noontime. The messenger said that within four hours he was told to deliver the Hakima and Annesley Sahiba at the palace door.
One early morning as she crossed the market-place, Carlin saw a strange elephant there with his mahout; and a messenger approached deferentially, asking if she were the Hakima, and if she could lead the way to Annesley Sahiba. . . . Four hours' journey away this was the messenger's story a native prince whose dignity included the keeping of one elephant, an honourable dispensation from Indian Government, had called in great need for the ministration of the Hakima, and that of her friend, Annesley Sahiba for lo, unto him a child was to be born.
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