"You think you'll getyour Cinnidar?"
He nodded. "I'm damnclose." He glanced at Sam. "Keep that dog in the bungalow no matterwhat your precious Patrick says. You don't want another snake to pay him avisit. There are too many cracks in that stable floor."
"I'd already decided todo that."
"That's right. You don'tneed any advice from me, do you?" He took off his hat and bowed.
He was walking toward thericksha when a sudden thought occurred to her.
"Ruel, how old were youwhen you were bitten by the snake?"
He glanced at her over hisshoulder.
"I don't remember. Aboutnine, I suppose."
She watched the ricksha rollaway in a jingle of melodious bells.
It got lonely sometimes.
Nine years old. She hadthought he had been speaking of a time when he was much older. What had a childthat young been doing alone in the hills at night? And why had he not beenfound until the next day, after he had made his way back to the castle? Shewould probably never know the answers to those questions. Ruel had clearlyslammed the door on any further confidences.
Not that she wanted to breachthose barriers, she assured herself quickly. Just when she thought her owndefenses impregnable, he had found a way to squeeze through them. The mostexasperating aspect was that he had not even been trying. He had shown herweakness instead of strength, honesty instead of deception.
And in that vulnerability hewas more dangerous to her than ever before.
"You've brought it?"the maharajah asked eagerly as soon as Ruel walked into the audience chamberthe next afternoon.
"No, but I think I'mclose to finding it." Ruel paused. "Unfortunately, I've been sodistressed by this business of the purchase that my memory has completely flownaway."
The maharajah scowled."Why do you play this silly game? I know you could give it to me if youwished."
Ruel merely smiled andremained silent.
"Oh, very well, you mayhave the island, but not for forty thousand pounds. The High Adviser says it'sworth at least ten thousand more."
Ruel tried not to let the tensionshow in his expression. "I'm not a rich man. I could perhaps affordanother five."
"Done." Themaharajah smiled craftily. "We'll sign the papers after you give methe—"
Ruel cut in quickly, "Mybrother and Colonel Pickering are outside in the anteroom with the properagreements. Perhaps we could sign the papers now and then I could devote myentire attention to finding the other piece." He paused. "You mighthave it within the hour."
"Then let's have it overwith," the maharajah said impatiently. "Call them in."
Forty-five minutes later Rueltucked one copy of the legal agreements in his pocket and handed another toColonel Pickering, who in turn gave a bank draft to the High Adviser.
"There, it's done,"the maharajah said. "Now keep your promise."
"I have every intentionof doing so." Ruel snapped his fingers. "The carriage. I've justremembered I left the other package in the carriage after I left the toystore." He turned to Ian. "Would you go out and fetch it for HisMajesty?"
"Delighted." Ianmoved toward the door with Colonel Pickering. "I'll give it to a footmanand meet you at the front entrance."
The maharajah watched themleave the chamber before turning and smiling slyly at Ruel. "You thinkyou've bested me, don't you?"
"Why would I think that?"
"But I'm the one who hascheated you. Cinnidar is worthless. My adviser said it's just a barbarianwilderness of jungle, mountains, and wild animals. Even the summer palace mygreat-grandfather built there has probably rotted away with disuse. Theisland's not worth a quarter of what I charged you for it."
"Then you've obviouslymade a fool of me."
