Baird was the commander-in-chief of the detachment stationed in Chanidigot, consisting of an infantry regiment, about six hundred strong, a lancer regiment of two hundred and forty sabres, and a battery of field artillery.As in all the other residences of the great Indian chiefs, the British Government had stationed here also a military force, strong enough to keep the Maharajah in respect and to nip all seeds of insurrection in the bud.As Colonel Baird, moreover, occupied the position of Resident at the Court of the Prince, and thus combined all the military and diplomatic power in his own person, he had come to be regarded as the real lord and master in Chanidigot.
His bungalow was in the centre of the camp, which lay in the middle of a broad grassy plain.It consisted of a group of buildings which surrounded a quadrangular courtyard, adorned with exotics and a splashing fountain.
As it appeared, he had given orders that Heideck was to be admitted immediately on arrival; for the adjutant, to whom he had announced himself, conducted him at once into the study of his superior officer.
Quite politely, though with a frigidity that contrasted with his former behaviour towards the popular guest of the officers' mess, the fine man, with his martial carriage, thanked him for his prompt visit.
"Please be seated, Mr.Heideck," he began."I have been very unwilling to disturb you, but I could not spare you this trouble.
I have received the intelligence that you were received by the Maharajah this morning.""It is true.I had to talk to him about some business; I am on the point of purchasing from him a large consignment of indigo for my Hamburg firm.""I have, of course, nothing to do with your business; but I must inform you that we do not approve of direct communication between Europeans and the native princes.You will, therefore, for the future, be best advised to communicate with me when you are summoned to the Maharajah, so that we may arrive at an understanding as to what you may, or may not, say to him.We cannot, unfortunately, trust all the Indian princes, and this one here is, perhaps, the most unreliable of them all.You must not, however, regard what I say to you as an expression of any want of confidence in yourself.The responsibility of my position imposes upon me, as you see, the greatest possible prudence.""I understand that completely, Colonel!"
"At this very moment the situation appears to be more than ever complicated.I shall be very much surprised, if we are not on the eve of very disquieting times.The Governor-General of Turkestan is marching this way, and his advance guard has already passed the Afghan frontier."Heideck had difficulty in concealing the excitement, which this confirmation of Tchajawadse's story aroused in him.
"Is that certain, Colonel? What do the Russians want in Afghanistan?""What do the Russians want there? Now, my dear Mr.Heideck, Ithink that is plain enough.Their advance means war with us.
