"
Charlie looked at him steadily.
"I believe you," he said. "You were mistaken. I had no suspicions. My
servant feared for me, and took these precautions without telling me.
However, Hossein, I pardon you, and if you will swear to me to be
faithful, in future, I will trust you. You shall again be my cook, and
I will eat the food as you prepare it for me."
"I am my lord's slave," the man said in a low tone. "My life is his."
Charlie nodded, and the guard standing on either side of the prisoner
stepped back, and without another word he left the room, a free man.
Charlie's officers remonstrated with him upon having not only pardoned
the man, but restored him to his position of cook.
"I think I have done wisely," Charlie said. "I must have a cook, for
Tim Kelly here is not famous that way; and although he might manage
for me, when alone, he certainly could not turn out a dinner which
would be suitable, when I have some of the rajah's kinsmen and
officers dining with me. Did I get another cook, he might be just as
open to the offers of my enemies as Hossein has been; and do you not
think that, after what has passed, Hossein will be less likely to take
bribes than any other man?"
Henceforth the oven was removed from the antechamber, and Charlie took
his meals as Hossein prepared them for him.
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