The sight of the sultan's seal at the bottom was quite enough for them, and I should think it would suffice to pass us here.

Still, it would look suspicious, our leaving the the country altogether, and we must give some explanation if they ask us." "I might say that we are charged with a mission to the English commander at Kistnagherry." "That might do, Surajah.

The fort is only eight or ten miles on the other side of the frontier, and we might very well be sent on some message.

A complaint of some of the villagers, that their rights have not been respected as agreed by the treaty, or that they have been robbed by men from this side of the frontier--there are plenty of things about which Tippoo might be sending a message to Kistnagherry.
The worst of it is that Tippoo has not given us a mission, and I do hate your having to say what is not true." Surajah was not so particular, and he replied: "Well, he has given us a mission to visit the hill forts, and as Kistnagherry is a hill fort, it is not a very great stretch to include it." Dick laughed.
"That is ingenious, Surajah.

Anyhow, I don't see any better excuse for crossing the frontier, and so we must make the best of it; but I hope we sha'n't be asked at all." "I think, if I say we are going to Kistnagherry, and then show Tippoo's order and seal, that will be sufficient; and the story will be quite true, for we shall go by Kistnagherry, as the road passes close to the fortress." "Yes, that will be quite true, Surajah, and the officers are not likely to ask any further questions.
"How are you getting on, Annie ?" "Oh, much better than I did yesterday," she said.