The Great Mogul Part 19

At first, Walter answered their courteous inquiries unguardedly, but a question anent the previous night's escapade revealed a hidden motive.

He described the affair jestingly, robbing it of serious import.

"Nay, friend," said one, the elder of the pair, "we heard Akbar's words.

Prince Jahangir, a profligate and a drunkard, hath grieved him by his excesses. Had the edge of thy sword fallen on Jahangir's neck, instead of the flat blade on his wrist, there would have been little harm done."

"A bold speech from one whom I know not."

"Would that a bold action by one whom we know not had rid the land of a pest!"

Amazed and somewhat disturbed by this outspoken declaration, Mowbray wheeled his horse squarely towards the speaker.

"I would have you realize that my companion and I are traders. We have no concern with the court beyond the sale of our goods," he said sternly.

"Traders should not have enemies in high places."

"We have none."

"Why, then, is one of the foreign preachers closeted with Jahangir since the ninth hour? Why hath this same preacher spread the rumor in the bazaar that you are spies, emissaries of a king beyond the black water who is sending armed s.h.i.+ps to prey on our territories in the west?"

Here was unpleasant news, indeed. Mowbray must have looked his annoyance, because the other continued eagerly:--

"This black gown hath established too great an influence over Jahangir.

Were he dead, and his brother Khusrow recognized as heir, all would be well, and the store thou hast made to-day would be quadrupled."

"To whom do I speak?"

"I fear not to give my name. I am Raja Man Singh, and this other is the chief of Bikanir."

"Why do you tell me these things?" said Walter, sorely troubled, for the men were grandees of high position.

"Because, in G.o.d's name, if Jahangir comes in front of thy sword again, plunge it into him."

Roger, who gathered the drift if not the exact significance of the talk, broke in in English:--

"If they're athirst for Jahangir's blood, Walter, bid them slit his weazand themselves."

They evidently read his e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.n as hostile to the Prince, for he from Bikanir murmured:--

"Good! The Hathi hath trumpeted."

Now, Roger did not like the nickname given him by Akbar. He stretched out a huge fist toward the Rajput and roared:--

"I kill only in fair fight. Beware lest the slaying be done now, when, perchance, we may win not only the Emperor's approval, but that of his eldest son."

His att.i.tude surprised them, but they showed no fear. Raja Man Singh said coldly:--

"I have spoken. Many hours may not pa.s.s before you feel that my words were not uttered without cause."

He spurred his horse, and the other followed him in a sharp canter. They soon vanished in the distance.

The incident, perplexing though it was, would not have troubled them greatly save for the reference to Dom Geronimo. Here was one whose rancor was implacable, his spleen being probably augmented by their presence in the Mogul capital and the notable success they had attained.

When they recalled the Emperor's advice as to their departure they saw that there were dangerous undercurrents in existence which might swamp the argosy of their fortunes if they did not conduct their affairs with exceeding discretion.

Hence, they hailed with joy the invitation from the Diwan to make his house their own during further residence in Agra. In the caravansary they were surrounded by strangers who might be in anyone's pay. In the Garden of Heart's Delight they were, at least, under the protection of an influential minister, whose abode even Prince Jahangir was compelled to respect, else he would not have resorted to the ambuscade of the previous night.

But the blind G.o.d, having tossed them towards the smooth haven of prosperity, blew them back into a storm with malignant caprice. That night, the Diwan died suddenly, poisoned said some, while others held that his end was hastened by the turmoil attending Nur Mahal's marriage.

Application to the Treasury for payment of their order was futile. They were a.s.sured, civilly enough, that no money could be disbursed until a new Diwan was appointed, and, when they kept the appointment fixed by Akbar, they were told that the Emperor, overwhelmed with grief at the death of his favorite minister, added to the news of the illness of one of his sons, Danial, at Burhampur, was secluded in his private apartments.

Day after day they waited, devising many schemes to secure their money and leave a city they would gladly see the last of. They lived in the Diwan's house. None interfered with them, and the place itself was an earthly Paradise wherein they would be well content if other matters had progressed to their liking. The warning given by Raja Man Singh had no justification in fact. Jahangir had apparently forgotten their existence, while Dom Geronimo gave no sign that he concerned himself in any way about them.

Walter not only visited the palace daily, but wrote letters, none of which received an answer. At last the truth could no longer be hidden.

Akbar, who had reigned over India fifty-one years, was stricken down with paralysis. In the words of the chronicler, "His Majesty, finding that his last moments had come, summoned all his Omerahs to his bedside.

Wistfully regarding them, he asked forgiveness of any offense he might have been guilty towards any of them. Then he gave them a sign to invest his son, Jahangir, with his turban and robes, and to gird him with his favorite simitar. He entreated Jahangir to be kind to the ladies of the family, to discharge all his (Akbar's) obligations, and never to neglect or forsake old friends and dependents. The grandees prostrated themselves before their dying lord and did him homage. The King repeated the confession of faith, closed his eyes, and died in all the forms of a pious Musalman."

The worthy scribe no doubt intended his concluding sentence to dispel, once and for all, the rumor which found credence with many that Akbar had a decided leaning towards Christianity. However that may be, the tidings of his death sounded the knell of the adventurers' hopes. Not only had they lost the fortune within their grasp, but they and their Surat partner were ruined.

Walter's dream of gaining a competence and sailing speedily to England and Nellie Roe was shattered. In his despair he debated with Roger the advisability of quitting Agra secretly, and journeying towards Calcutta by river.

But Roger swore, with quaint oaths, that he would beard Jahangir in his palace and shame him before all his n.o.bles if he did not fulfil Akbar's behest. Matters were in this desperate plight when a royal messenger was announced.

Wondering greatly what new development fickle fate had in store they admitted the man. He salaamed with much ceremony and said:--

"My master, the Emperor Jahangir, second Sahib-i-Qiran,[C] bids the ill.u.s.trious strangers wait on him to-morrow after he appears at the jharoka (window) to receive the blessings of his subjects."

[Footnote C: Literally, "Born under favoring planets," a t.i.tle conferred by historians on Taimur, and a.s.sumed by Jahangir.]

Here was the unexpected happening in very truth. Had Kings.h.i.+p made Jahangir a King? Would he rise superior to petty considerations and treat them with justice? Who could tell? As Roger said:--

"We mun eat a good breakfast, buckle on our swords, and trust in Providence."

CHAPTER X

"Out of this nettle, danger, we pluck this flower, safety."

_Shakespeare_, "King Henry IV."

Jahangir received them in the Hall of Public Audience. If he wished to inspire respect by a display of magnificence, his appearance and surroundings were well calculated to achieve this purpose.

The fine building itself supplied a fitting shrine for regal splendor.

The Arabesque roof was borne on Byzantine arches, which gave free access on three sides from a delightful parterre. It was closed on the north, as here it rested against the higher ground which contained the private apartments. A raised marble canopy stood out from the center of the built-in side, the floor being some eight feet above the mosaic pavement of the hall. This retreat held the Emperor's throne, to which a small door communicated from the back.

The throne was elevated on a dais of silver steps. Four ma.s.sive silver lions bore an inner canopy of gold, curiously wrought and emblazoned with jewels. Tavernier, the French traveler, himself a goldsmith, estimated the value of this wonderful structure at so many millions sterling that later historians have held the sum named to be incredible.

Nevertheless, it made a brave show in the clear light of an Indian interior in the cold weather. Not less striking was the figure of Jahangir himself. Robed in white muslin, his belt, simitar, dagger-hilt, and scarf literally blazed with diamonds. On his turban reposed a Persian diadem with twelve points, each terminating in a large diamond of purest water and most brilliant l.u.s.ter. Within a ma.s.s of sparkling stones in the center was set a s.h.i.+mmering pearl of extraordinary size and value, while a necklace of smaller but exquisite pearls served to enhance the l.u.s.trous ornament in his crown. Tavernier, probably with reasonable accuracy, valued the diadem alone at two millions sterling.

Grouped near him on the steps of the dais, or on the platform, were several court dignitaries, amidst whose gorgeous robes the Englishmen's eyes quickly discerned the ca.s.sock of Dom Geronimo. A host of officials and n.o.bles of lesser importance thronged the floor of the great hall, and the scene was one of glittering animation at the moment the two friends arrived, the only somber and sinister note being the unrelieved black robe of the Jesuit.