'That is a courtesy to be remembered, O man of good will; but why the sword?'
The old soldier looked as abashed as a child interrupted in his game of make-believe.
'The sword,' he said, fumbling it. 'Oh, that was a fancy of mine—an old man's fancy. Truly the police orders are that no man must bear weapons throughout Hind, but'—he cheered up and slapped the hilt—'all the constabeels hereabout know me.'