| as I looked nervously at Gideon, Pandayji let out a | | | | mine. This ‘gentleman,’ and I use the term |
| gasp while three men, dressed in the garb of medieval | | | | loosely, is Prince Kamal, better known as the Terror of |
| warriors stormed up to our table. Gideon sat stoically | | | | Trivandrum, the Scourge of the South.” He then |
| motionless. The three reached our table,stopped, came | | | | turned to the Terror and said, “These are my |
| to attention and saluted. The short one with the | | | | dear friends, Pandayji and John. And of course, you |
| handlebar mustache was the first to speak. | | | | know the incomparable Marla.” |
| “My dear Sahib,Gideon,” the words | | | | “It’s so good to meet you, all of |
| poured forth from his lips,“I bring you greetings! | | | | you,” said the Terror, “and greetings again, |
| We heard that you’d be here so,I hastened to | | | | my Lady Marla.” |
| pay my respects. And lovely Marla, you’re as | | | | “Kamal, you haven’t changed a bit. |
| radiant as ever.” | | | | You’re as much a renegade as ever. It’s |
| Gideon broke into riotous laughter, stood up and | | | | good to see you, but I didn’t expect to see you |
| embraced him. Marla giggled while the other two stood | | | | here.” |
| at attention as Gideon said,“My dear friend, it has | | | | By this time, the restaurant manager accompanied by |
| been such a very long time. What are you doing here? | | | | two guards was fast approaching our table. The |
| You really scared the living daylights out of everyone | | | | Terror, anticipating their appearance, quickly drew a |
| here.” | | | | long, sinis- ter sword from his belt.His two companions |
| “I apologize for my rough manners, sir,but I just | | | | did the same and would have caused quite a |
| wanted to see you again. When last we met, you | | | | commotion had Gideon not shouted just as quickly, |
| helped me restore the property of those poor | | | | “Put that thing away. It’s not needed |
| peasants who were being cheated by the overseer | | | | here.” The Terror and his friends slowly |
| of their village. I’ve missed you greatly.” | | | | sheathed their swords, while glaring at the manager |
| Gideon returned to his seat,nodded to Pandayji and | | | | who, by now, must have wished to be somewhere |
| me and said,“I want you to meet an old friend of | | | | else. |