Kirkpatrick pursed his lips. ‘I suppose we can give it a try, sir.’

‘We have to, if we’re going to prevent any bloodshed.’ Arthur stood up.‘Let’s go, then.You and me. Dalrymple and Malcolm can return to their commands.’ Arthur turned to the two Company officers. ‘Have your men fed, armed and ready to move as soon as I give the order. Understood?’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘Then I’ll bid you good night, gentlemen. I’m sure I’ll see you again tomorrow.’ He turned back to Captain Kirkpatrick. ‘It’s time to beard the Nizam in his den.’

‘Tonight? Now?’The Nizam’s chamberlain shook his head. ‘I am sorry, sahib, it is not possible. The Nizam—’

‘Then make it possible,’ Arthur said firmly. ‘At once.’

The chamberlain glanced anxiously over his shoulder at the imposing entrance to the Nizam’s private quarters. He turned back to the two English officers and raised his hands imploringly. ‘The Nizam is entertaining guests. He would not be pleased to be interrupted, sahib. It would not go well with me if I dared to disturb him.’

‘It will not go well for you, or the Nizam, if you don’t. I have ridden here on the orders of the Governor General to speak with the Nizam on a matter of the utmost importance.’ Arthur softened his tone and smiled. ‘Now then, I am sure that you would not want the Nizam to hold you accountable for any offence caused to the most powerful Englishman in India.’

The chamberlain squirmed for a moment and clasped his hands to his forehead. ‘Ayoo . . .’

‘Do as we ask,’ Arthur insisted. ‘Many lives hang in the balance.’

The chamberlain lowered his hands and stared at Arthur for a moment and then slumped his shoulders and nodded. ‘Very well, sahib. Come with me.’

They followed him towards the double doors and the two guards standing on either side watched warily as the English officers approached. The chamberlain clapped his hands and called out an order. At once the guards grasped the heavy brass handles and pulled open the great slabs of intricately carved and painted wood. Beyond was a wide corridor and from the far end came the nasal notes of native music. There were voices too, men’s and women’s: high spirited and punctuated with bursts of laughter and joyful shouting.

‘What kind of entertainment is the Nazim enjoying tonight?’ asked Arthur.

‘The usual, sahib. Our ruler is a man of the people, if you take my meaning.That is why I do not think it wise to interrupt him.’ The chamberlain paused and looked at Arthur hopefully. ‘Sahib, I really do think it might be best if we didn’t. I could arrange a meeting tomorrow morning.’

‘Tonight.’ Arthur steered the chamberlain towards the end of the corridor. ‘I cannot wait until morning. Keep moving.’