"You will assist," quoth _Mr. Punch_ to TOBY, "in giving the SHAHZADA
a cheery welcome on board the P. and O.'s _Caledonia_. And _these_,"
continued _Mr. P._, handing TOBY a packet and a purse containing
untold gold "are your secret instructions."
"They shall be faithfully obeyed," replied the ever-faithful TOBY;
adding, "_À bon_ SHAH, _bon hur-rah!_"
* * *
Day lovely; voyage perfect. Father Thames at his best. Sir THOMAS
SUTHERLAND, M.P. and O., and all the goodly company, drank the
SHAHZADA'S health most heartily. Then capital short speech from
Right Honourable FOWLER about India. SHAHZADA satisfied with dinner,
gratified by reception. On deck the SHAHZADA called TOBY aside.
Interpreter intervened. "_Detnaw ton! Tuoteg!_" said the SHAHZADA,
quietly, but authoritatively.
The interpreter retired, muttering to himself "Bow-strings for one."
"Look here," said the SHAHZADA to TOBY ... and they discussed affairs
(TOBY acting as _Mr. P.'s_ representative) of such importance that
they cannot be even hinted at in this or any other place. "And now,"
said the SHAHZADA, still speaking in his native language, of which
this is a translation, "is it not true that one of your national
institutions at Greenwich is----"
"The Fair?"
"Bah!" laughed the SHAHZADA, "that has long since vanished; so have
the Pensioners at the Hospital. But----"
"There is still hospitality," murmured TOBY, salaaming his very best.
"There is," returned the SHAHZADA, "and _you_ shall show it."
"What can I do for you, your Royal Highness?" asked TOBY.
The SHAHZADA drew him yet further apart from the envious crowd, and
whispered in his ear.
"Your Royal Highness," answered TOBY, "it shall be done. Command that
the boat be stopped at Greenwich."
So the boat was stopped at Greenwich, and the SHAHZADA, with TOBY,
debarked. Great cheering.
* * *