The summons brought a
corpulent English woman to the door, from whom Nick learned that the
Hindoo and his interpreter were still there.
"Doesn't Pandu Singe speak English?" inquired Nick.
"Dear me, no!" exclaimed the landlady, with a mute yet visible
laugh--visible in that her convolutions of flesh became observably
agitated. "Not the first word, sir. He talks only a blooming jargon fit
for snakes and spiders and that like."
Nick laughed agreeably, having a request on his tongue's end.
"He has moved his beastly den o' reptiles into my cellar to stay till
next season, sir, a 'orror I'd not stand for a minute, so I wouldn't,
only he pays me very 'andsome for the same."
"Then he intends remaining here all summer, does he?"
"He do," replied the woman, with startling terseness after the
foregoing.
"I wish to see him briefly on business," said Nick. "Go and ask him if
he will receive us."
The landlady complied, returning presently and inviting the two
detectives into the house. She led the way to a rear room off the hall,
at the door of which stood a swarthy foreigner, who bowed and smiled as
the callers approached.
"'E's the hinterpreter," vouchsafed the landlady, in a wheezy whisper.
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