"Salak's in prison now ?" "He's in prison in Calcutta, yes.

But he's awaiting his trial.

He's not convicted yet." "Exactly," Thresk answered.

"This photograph is a valuable thing to have just now." Ballantyne threw up his arms in despair at the obtuseness of his companion.
"Valuable!" he cried in derision.

"Valuable!" and he leaned forward on his elbows and began to talk to Thresk with an ironic gentleness as if he were a child.
"You don't quite understand me, do you?
But a little effort and all will be plain." He got no farther however upon this line of attack, for Thresk interrupted him sharply.
"Here! Say what you have got to say if you want me to help you.