"My father is like achild with a new toy. He imported this Patrick Reilly, a construction engineer,from England, to build it, and talks of nothing else. He is concerned only withengines and whistles and velvet-covered seats that—" He broke off and drewa deep breath. "I do not like these new ways. This railroad is anatrocity. Anyway, my father decided he desired a golden door carved withwondrous designs to grace his private car and insisted Reilly provideone."
"Rather an extravagantdemand."
"Not for amaharajah." Abdar lifted his chin haughtily. "It is our right todemand what pleases us from those beneath us."
"And did Reilly providewhat your father demanded?"
"Eventually. My fathertold him if he did not furnish the door, he would pay him nothing and findanother construction engineer to finish the railroad."
"I can see how that mighthave proved an incentive," Ruel said dryly.
"The door was carved byJohn Kartauk."
"You're certain?"
"I know his workwell." Abdar's lips thinned. "The door is an exquisiteabomination."
"Exquisiteabomination," Ruel repeated. "It would seem to have to be either oneor the other."
Abdar shrugged. "My poorEnglish again."
"The solution seemssimple enough. Ask Reilly where your artist is to be found."
"Do you think me a fool?I did ask and he claimed he had no knowledge of Kartauk. He said his ward founda man in the town to do the work, and when I questioned her she would tell menothing. She said he was only a local goldsmith and had left for Calcuttadirectly after he finished the door."
"She? A woman?"
Abdar nodded jerkily and hiswords were suddenly heavy with venom. "Reilly calls her his ward, thoughthe slut is undoubtedly his whore. Her name is Jane Barnaby, a bold piece withno manners and an unbridled tongue. She frequents Zabrie's house of shame,where she mixes and sleeps with foreigners and low-caste workers and showsno—"
"Bribe her," Ruelcut into the tirade.
"I do not offer money towhores and liars."
"Pity. It's such a usefultool."
"However, I have setwatch on her and she has not met with Kartauk in the past two weeks."
"Perhaps she told thetruth and he did leave for Calcutta."
"He could not have leftthe city! Kasanpore ismine.No one draws a breath here without myknowing it."
"And yet Kartauk managedto hide himself and fashion an entire door without you knowing it."
A faint flush tinted Abdar'solive cheeks. "I begin to find your insolence intolerable. Perhaps I donot need your help after all."
Ian said quickly, "Whatis it that you wish us to do?"
"I told you, find Kartaukand bring him to me. His mother was Scottish and he has the same fondness as myfather for those of your nationality. Perhaps he will trust you when he wouldhesitate to give faith to a man of my race."
"And how do you suggestwe find him?"
"The woman. The Barnabyslut must occupy Kartauk's bed as well as Reilly's, or she would not run suchrisk." He shrugged. "It is not surprising. Reilly is no longer in hisfirst youth, and Kartauk is a man in his prime."
Ruel's gaze narrowed onAbdar's face. "And what risk does she run?"
Abdar smiled blandly."Why, the risk of displeasing my father by her deceit, of course. Whatother risk would I be speaking about?"
"And in return you'llarrange a meeting with your father?"
