A nod. "I start to-night, as I must reach Shingtse-lunpo in advance of you. Oh, as I said, I come and go as the wind, when and where I will, and depending upon no man! But I do not go as Sarojini Nanjee.... Just before you reach Tali-fang--it will not be necessary until then--Masein, your Lisu guide, will help you effect a transformation from a white man to a Hindu merchant from Mandalay. White skins are not popular in that region. You speak Hindustani as well as some Hindus, better than others. Avoid the natives as much as possible, for they are not over-fond of any one who is not of their race. If asked whither you go, say to a holy city in Tibet."
Silence settled for a moment after that. They were more than a mile from Myitkyina, and the silver coins still glittered and danced in midstream.
"D'you think," he began at length, "if the Government knew I was going into Tibet, it would approve?"
She shrugged. "Why not? It was understood at Delhi that you were to do as I directed; go wherever I willed."
"Frequently resourceful men are killed. Let us suppose I were murdered in Tibet--by robbers, we'll say. It would place my Government in an awkward position. Could Tibet explain satisfactorily; or would there be a British expedition, resulting in death for hundreds, because of one indiscreet Englishman?"
"Is it indiscreet," she countered, "to recover the jewels?"
He appeared to be considering that. Finally:
"If it were made known that the gems are there, the Government could demand action from the ruling powers of Tibet--or send an expedition."
She laughed. "Do you call that logic? And answer me, impossible one, who _are_ the 'ruling powers' of Tibet, as you choose to call them? The Dalai Lama? Or the British Raj? Answer me that! And as for the expedition: _we_ are the expedition. In this case the wits of two are worth more than a hundred Lee-Metfords. Guile! Guile is the stronger weapon--and it does not attract so much attention as guns!"
Again silence. They were still drifting with the current. Behind, in the moon's path, was a tiny blotch--another boat. He watched it curiously. Seeing his inquisitive look, the woman spoke.
"No doubt it is Tambusami with your luggage; I instructed him to fetch it from the Inspection Bungalow and follow. Yonder," she explained, with a gesture downstream, "is your camp. There you will remain until dawn. I shall accompany you to the camp, as I have further instructions to give your guide."