"Any child of hers will be good to me," Skag answered softly.
A glow loomed in the blacknesses and Roderick Deal flashed Skag a smile which reminded him, at last, of Carlin.
"European men, in the early days, were responsible for the branding, now carried by thousands in India--carried with shame and the bitterest sort of curses. But our line is unique in this regard. We are conditioned by a pride, as great as the shame I have spoken of. On account of it, no one of us may enter marriage without public ceremony of as much circ.u.mstance as is expedient."
The storm-lights had gone down and a half-deprecatory, half-embarra.s.sed expression, made the face look so quite like any other man"s, that Skag smiled.
". . . Because we are descended from two extraordinary romances, both of which were celebrated by the marriage of an imperial Indian woman--one Brahmin, one Rajput--with a British man of n.o.ble family--one Scotch, one Irish. Carlin will tell you the stories; she loves them."
Again the smile like Carlin"s.
"So she must come down to Poona, where she was born; and the ceremony must be performed in the cathedral here, by the Bishop himself--who is a real man by the way, as well as distinguished."
. . . That was all right.
"You are to be published at the time of your marriage, in all the English and vernacular printed sheets throughout India, specifically as a scientist whose research will take you much into jungle life."
Roderick Deal paused for reply. Skag considered a moment and said tentatively:
"If my work will come under that head?"
"Oh, quite! there is no question. And now I am come to the explanation of my delay. There have been preparations to make; dealings with Indian government. As you will understand, Government would be entirely unapproachable by any man himself desiring such an appointment. But influence is able to set in operation the examination of his records; and if they are good enough, the rest can be accomplished.
"Carlin convinced me that you would make no serious protest; and I am a.s.suring you that these conditions are really good fortune to you. But they are imperative; it must be this way or not at all."
Skag was given opportunity to speak, but he had nothing to say, yet.
"You must enter the service of Indian government in the department of Natural Research. The appointment will give you distinction not to be scorned and a salary better than my own--which is very good."
After a moment"s thought, Skag said:
"Will it tie me up?"
"Not in the least. On the contrary, it will make you free."
"What about my obligations?"
"Your obligations will be entirely vested in reports, which you will turn in at your discretion. I understand that you already have materials which would be considered highly valuable. Also, I hear that you have fallen heir to Nels, the great hunting dog. Of the four that are well known, he is easily the best. And he is young; he will bring you experiences out of the jungle such as no man could find alone.
What the Indian Research department wants, is _knowledge of animals_."
"That"s exactly what I want."
"Your Department will facilitate you, immensely. I speak positively, because the initial work is finished; there remains nothing, but that you shall come with me to the department offices and become enrolled.
However, not before you are properly outfitted. My tailoring-house will take care of you."
"A uniform?"
"Not a uniform exactly, but strictly correct; rather military, but more hunting; perfectly suitable and very comfortable. You"ll be quite at home in it. It"s the sort for you."
The eyes measured Skag"s outlines appraisingly, but betrayed nothing.
"We have not finished. The matter of clothing is adjacent to another not less important. A foreigner in this country is nothing better than a wild man, without a servant."
"I have one--" Skag spoke with inward satisfaction: "--Bhanah the old cook, who did serve Police--"
"Not Police Commissioner Hichens" _Bhanah_?"
"Yes."
"How?"
"He came to me."
"Did you negotiate with him?"
"No."
"Then will you kindly tell me, why?"
"I do not know."
There was a marked pause. The eyes had become wide.
"Well--really . . . _Are_ you the sort-of-thing I"ve been hearing about?"
Roderick Deal"s expression was kindly-quaint; and Skag answered the look rather than the words:
"How should I know what that is?"
"You _have_ astonished me. And I am pleased. From Bombay to Calcutta and from Himalaya to Madras--you will find no more valuable man, than that same Bhanah. He is called old, but he is not old. If you have noticed, the term is always spoken as if it were one with his name--because of his learning. He is the man of men for you. _How_ did he come to you?"
"He brought Nels with the note, that the dog was a gift. When he spoke, he said he was committed before the G.o.ds to serve me as long as he lived."
"How did his voice sound?"
"A queer, level tone."
"There is no doubt. _It is enough for one day_."
The words were spoken with almost affectionate inflections. Skag was puzzled. Roderick Deal stepped to the door and spoke to a servant; returning to his seat, he smiled openly into Skag"s eyes before speaking:
"Now you will come with me. We must lose no time."
"Yes, I want to get back to Hurda as soon as I can."
"Not before the monsoon breaks. It is due any day now, any hour. Till ten days after it has broken, no sane man will take train."
"I want to get back. I think I will risk it."