‘Not as bad as you’d think,’ Arthur replied. ‘The Company battalions are larger, and far better trained and equipped than the others. Even so, they could not hold their ground for long if the other battalions turned on them. The Nizam knows the quality of the Company troops and knows that his best chance is to have us on his side. Especially if an alliance with us might lead to the return of those lands already seized by the Mahrattas.’

Richard stroked his chin thoughtfully. ‘Tricky . . . We have to find some way of removing those French officers, and increasing our military presence in Hyderabad.’

‘Precisely.’ Arthur nodded. ‘And the Nizam is only the most immediate of our concerns. Our intelligence people tell me that the rulers of the Mahratta lands covet our territory. More worrying is the threat that Tipoo is preparing for war with us.We must resolve the problem in Hyderabad without making war. If there is a war, and Tipoo throws his lot in with our enemies in Hyderabad, then things could become decidedly tricky for British interests in India.’ Arthur paused and looked steadily at his brothers. ‘We must proceed very carefully and deal with one threat at a time.’

‘I understand,’ Richard replied.‘I must do all I can to keep the peace with Tipoo while we deal with the Nizam. Meanwhile we’ll make all the necessary preparations for war with him.’

‘That would be prudent,’ said Arthur. ‘I just hope we have enough time to gather an army powerful enough to deal with Tipoo.’

‘Have you any other bad tidings for us?’ Henry asked in exasperation.

‘I fear so.’ Arthur paused a moment to collect his thoughts. ‘India has been beset by warlords of one kind or another for many centuries and the East India Company is in grave danger of simply looking like the latest oppressor. I have to confess that the natives have every reason to judge us alongside their own rulers.There’s a tendency amongst some of the Europeans of the lower orders - the gora log as the Indians call them - to treat the natives like slaves, and to act as if they are above the law.They will cheat them out of money and goods, and beat them mercilessly if the whim takes them. The situation is little different amongst the better class of European. Many of the Company’s senior officials are equally corrupt. Hardly surprising given the fortunes that can be made from trading, bribery and straightforward theft. It seems that almost every Englishman who sets foot in India wants to return home as rich and powerful as Clive.’

‘Well, there’s not much we can do about that.’