"He sees few people thesedays. All he cares about is his new toy of a railroad." Abdar's lipscurled in a bitter smile. "But I am surprised you did not succeed in yourquest. My father believes the British are his true brothers and even sent me toOxford to be educated. He cannot see how the British queen seeks to make apuppet of him and Kasanpore."
"We have a businessproposition for your father that has nothing to do with the politics of eitherIndia or England," Ian said. "All we ask is ten minutes of histime."
"It is still toomuch." Abdar stood up. "I cannot help you."
Disappointment rushed throughRuel before he caught a flicker of expression on Abdar's face that caused hisdisappointment to vanish. He was too good a poker player himself not to realizethis was no dismissal but an attempt to intimidate them. "Cannot or willnot?" he asked softly.
"Insolence," Abdarsaid. "You are very arrogant for a second son."
"Forgive me, YourHighness, but it has always been my philosophy that a man shouldn't be afraidto lose what he doesn't have." He paused. "And that he shouldn't askfor anything he isn't willing to pay for."
"And what are you willingto pay for my influence on your behalf?"
"What do you want?"
"Why should I wishanything from you?" Abdar smiled contemptuously as he threw out his handto indicate the splendor of their surroundings. "Look around you. Do Iappear to be in need?" His lips twisted. "The jewel I wear on mylittle finger could probably buy your Glenclaren."
"Possibly." Ruelleaned against the table. "But wanting sometimes has very little to dowith need. Why did you agree to receive us, Your Highness?"
"As a courtesy to ColonelPickering."
Ruel shook his head. "Idon't think so. You've displayed no overwhelming fondness for theBritish."
"Then why should I permityou to come?"
"Why, indeed?"
Abdar hesitated beforeallowing a slight smile to touch his lips. "It may be that we cannegotiate. There is something I desire that you may bring me."
"And that is?"
"A man." He noddedat the statue on the table. "A goldsmith named John Kartauk."
"He created this?"Ruel's gaze returned to the goddess. "Superb."
"A genius. My fatherbrought him from Turkey six years ago and bestowed on him our royal patronage.Kartauk created many beautiful objects to grace our palaces." Abdar's lipstightened. "And then the ungrateful dog spurned our generosity and ran awayfrom us."
"Ran away?" Ruel'sbrows lifted. "How curious. Why should an artist so favored find itnecessary to run away?"
Abdar glanced away and did notanswer at once. "I am not good with English. I merely meant he had left uswith no farewells."
Abdar's English was betterthan his own, Ruel thought cynically, and the prince had meant exactly what hehad said. "And gave no reason?"
"Great artists are oftenunstable and given to fancies." Abdar shrugged. "However, I amwilling to forgive him and take him back"
"How kind."
Abdar chose to ignore theirony in Ruel's tone. "Yes, it is. But I must find him in order to,persuade him to return."
"Perhaps he's no longerin Kasanpore," Ian said.
"He is still here. I'verecently seen an example of his work."
"Where?"
"You are aware of therailroad my father is having built from Kasanpore to our summer palace inNarinth?"
"We could hardly missit," Ian said dryly. "Everyone in the city appears to be laboring onit."
