Alwa, leaving his own squadron, to canter at Cunningham's side, gave him all the new intelligence that mattered.
"Last evening I sent word on ahead to them of our coming, sahib! I sent one messenger to the Maharajah and one to Jaimihr, warning each that we ride to keep our plighted word.

At the worst, we shall find both parties ready for us! We shall know before we reach the city who is our friend! News reached me, too, sahib, that the Maharajah and his brother have united against us--that Howrah will eat his promises and play me false.

God send he does! I would like to have my hands in that Hindoo's treasure-chests! We none of us know yet, bahadur, what is this plan of thine--" "You've been guessing awfully close to it, I think" laughed Cunningham.
"Aha! The treasure-chests, then! But--is there--have you information, sahib?
Who knows, then--who has told where they are?
Neither I nor my men know!" "Send for Mahommed Gunga." Mahommed Gunga left his squadron, too, to canter beside Alwa.
"I am all ears, sahib!" he asserted, reining his horse until his stride was equal to the others.
"The key to the situation is that treasure," asserted Cunningham.
"Howrah wants it.

Jaimihr wants it.

The priests want it.