"I have news for you, comrade! The aristocratic Indian with whom Ijust spoke was the Maharajah of Sabathu who is on the look-out for his guest and friend, the Maharajah of Chanidigot, who is engaged on a hunting expedition.""The Maharajah of Chanidigot?" Heideck exclaimed with sparkling eyes."The rogue is then really in our immediate neighbourhood?""The hunting-camp that the two Princes have formed lies directly in our line of march, and the Maharajah has invited me to camp this night there with my men.I have really more than half a mind to accept his kind invitation.""And did you not inquire about Mrs.Irwin, Prince?"The Colonel's face assumed at Heideck's question a strangely serious, almost repellent expression.
"No."
"But it is more than probable that she is in his camp.""Possibly, although up to now every proof of that is wanting.""But you will institute inquiries for her, will you not? You will compel the Maharajah to give us news of her whereabouts?""I can, at most, politely ask him for information.But I cannot promise you even that with certainty."Heideck was extremely surprised.He could not explain in any way the change in the Prince's demeanour.And he would have been inclined to take his strange answers for a not too delicate jest, had not the frigid, impenetrable expression of his face at once excluded any suggestion of the sort.
"But I don't understand, Prince," he said, surprised."It was only a few days ago that you were kind enough to promise me your active support in this matter.""I am to my regret compelled to cancel that promise; for I have received strict instructions from His Excellency to avoid everything that can lead to friction with the native Princes, and that my superiors laid great stress upon a good understanding with the Maharajah of Chanidigot was not known to me at the time of our conversation.He was the first who openly declared for Russia and whose troops have come over to our side.The happy issue of the Battle of Lahore is perhaps in no small degree due to him.You understand, Captain, that it would make the worst possible impression were we to come into conflict with a man so needful to us for such a trifling cause.""Trifling cause?" Heideck asked earnestly, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Well, yes, what appears to you of such great importance is, when regarded from a high political point of view, very trifling and insignificant.You cannot possibly expect that the political interests of a world empire should be sacrificed for the interests of a single lady, who, moreover, by nationality belongs to our enemies.""Shall she then be handed over helpless to the bestiality of this dissolute scoundrel?"Prince Tchajawadse shrugged his shoulders, while at the same time he cast a strange side-glance at Heideck, who was riding beside him, which seemed to say--"How dense you are, my dear fellow! And how slow of understanding!"But the other did not understand this dumb play of the eyes; and, after a short pause, he could not refrain from saying in a tone of painful reproach--"Why, my Prince, did you so generously procure for me permission to take part in this expedition if I was at once to be doomed to inaction in a matter, which, as you know, is at present nearer my heart than aught else!""I do not remember, Captain, to have imposed any such restraint upon you.It was purely my own attitude as regards this matter which I wished to make clear to you.And I hope that you have completely understood me.I will not, and dare not, have anything officially to do with the affair of Mrs.Irwin, and I should like to hear nothing about it.That I, on the other hand, do not interfere with your private concerns, and would not trouble about them, is quite a matter of course.It entirely suffices for me, if you do not bring me into any embarrassment and impossible situation."That was, at all events, much less than Heideck had expected after the zealous promises of his friend.But after quiet reflection he came to the conclusion that the Prince could, as a matter of fact, scarcely act otherwise, and that he went to the utmost limits of the possible, if he did not absolutely forbid him to undertake anything for the advantage of the unhappy Edith.Heideck's decision to leave not a stone unturned to liberate the woman he loved was not thereby shaken for a moment, but he knew now that he would have to proceed with the greatest circumspection, and that he could not reckon upon anyone's assistance--an admission which was not exactly calculated to fill him with joyous hope.
After a short march the detachment reached the spot lying immediately at the foot of the first hill, a wide space shaded by mighty trees, upon which the Maharajah had erected his improvised hunting-camp.A great number of tents had been pitched under the trees.A gay-coloured throng of men surged amongst them.
It was perfectly clear to Heideck that he could not himself search the camp for Edith Irwin without exciting the attention of the Indians, thereby at once compromising the success of his venture.
And he had no one to whom he could entrust the important task, except the faithful Morar Gopal, who, in spite of all the terrors of war, had also followed him on this march to Simla, although Heideck had offered him his discharge, together with the payment of his wages for several months more.
Accordingly, after the signal had been given to halt and dismount, he took him aside and communicated to him his instructions, at the same time handing him a handful of rupees to enable him to give the necessary bribes.
The Hindu listened with keen attention, and the play of his dark, clever face showed what a lively personal interest he took in this affair nearest his master's heart.
"Everything shall be done according to your wishes, sahib," he said, and soon afterwards was lost to view among the innumerable crowd of the two Indian Princes' servants and followers.
