Shall Ramabai, then, become your master, to set forth the propaganda of the infidel ?" "No!" The word was not spoken loudly, but sibilantly, with something resembling a hiss.

"No!" "And shall a king who has no mind, no will, no strength, resume his authority?
Perhaps to bring more white people into Allaha, perhaps to give Allaha eventually to the British Raj ?" Again the negative.
"But the method ?" Umballa smiled.

"What brings the worshiper here with candles and flowers and incense?
Is it love or reverence or superstition ?" The bald yellow heads nodded like porcelain mandarins.
"Superstition," went on Umballa, "the sword which bends the knees of the layman, has and always will through the ages!" In the vault outside a bell tinkled, a gong boomed melodiously.
"When I give the sign," continued the schemer, "declare the curse upon all those who do not bend.

A word from your lips, and Ramabai's troops vanish, reform and become yours and mine!" "While the king lives ?" asked the chief priest curiously.
"Ah!" And Umballa smiled again.
"But you, Durga Ram ?" "There is Ramabai, a senile king, and I.

Which for your purposes will you choose ?" There was a conference.