"Oh, I think there is a slight difference in their case.All these gentlemen's names and duties are known beforehand, and they are expressly accredited in their character of diplomatists.""Mr.Kennedy, I could never think of justifying myself to you, for I have not the least reason to be ashamed of my mission.The military authorities of every country must have information as to the military condition of other powers, even though war is not definitely expected or contemplated.In order to be equipped against all eventualities, it is necessary to know the forces and resources of other powers, no matter whether, in case of war, they would be enemies or allies."Mr.Kennedy, evidently irritated, replied: "It almost seems as if we English had grossly neglected this precaution.The Russians would hardly have surprised us, if we had known how to calculate with German astuteness.""Well, I hardly believe that the English method in this respect is different from ours.Your Government, like the German, doubtless sent officers everywhere to obtain information.Just as the General Staff in Berlin collects information about all foreign armies, fortifications, and boundaries, I have no doubt that the same thing happens in London.Besides, it is a purely theoretical procedure, just like the drawing up of schemes of war to suit all cases.In reality, things usually turn out quite differently from what is expected.The present war is the most convincing proof of this.I was sent here to study the Anglo-Indian army and the Russo-Indian frontiers, although we had no presentiment that war was imminent, and had made no plans for attacking India.The folly of such an idea is obvious.Further, if you regard me as a spy, Mr.Kennedy, I beg you will have no scruple about informing the Governor of my real character.I am ready at any time to justify myself before the English authorities."Mr.Kennedy held out his hand to him.
"You have misunderstood me, my dear Mr.Heideck.Your personal honour is to me so far beyond all doubt, that I should never think for a moment of putting you on a level with those spies who are tried for their lives when caught."At this moment one of the barefooted waiters, dressed in white, came running and shouting into the saloon, "Great victory near Delhi! total defeat of the Russian army!" at the same time triumphantly waving a printed paper in his hand.
Mr.Kennedy jumped up, tore the paper from the boy's hand, and read the news given out by the Bombay Gazette.
"Yes, it is true," he cried, his face beaming with joy."Avictory, a great, decisive victory! Heaven be thanked--the fortune of war has changed."He gave the bearer of the joyful news a piece of gold and hastened to inform the ladies.Heideck, however, remained behind, immersed in thought.The hotel soon became lively.The English ran here and there, shouting to one another the contents of the despatch, while a growing excitement gradually showed itself in the streets.
In the so-called fort, the European quarter of Bombay, torches were lighted and feux-de-joie fired.Heideck took one of the traps standing in front of the hotel and ordered the driver to drive through the town.Here he observed that the rejoicings were confined to the fort.As soon as the conveyance reached the town proper, he found that it presented the same appearance as on his first visit, and that there was nothing to show or indicate the occurrence of extraordinary events.In spite of the lateness of the hour, the narrow streets were busy and full of traffic.All the houses were lighted up, and all the doors open, affording a view of the interior of the primitive dwellings, of the artisans busy at their work, of the dealers plying their trade, of the housewives occupied with their domestic affairs.Evidently the inhabitants troubled no more about the war than about the terrible scourge of the Indian population--the plague.The despatch announcing the victory, although no doubt it was known in the native quarter, had evidently not made the slightest impression.
About eleven o'clock Heideck returned to the hotel, where he found the Kennedys and Edith still conversing eagerly on the terrace.
"Of course we shall not leave now," he declared."As soon as the Russians have evacuated the north, we shall return to Simla."Heideck made no remark, and since the openly expressed and heartfelt joy of the English affected him painfully, he soon took leave of them, and went up to his room, which, like Edith's, was on the second storey.
According to the custom of the country, all the rooms opened on to the broad balcony which ran round the whole floor like an outer corridor.As a look from Edith had repeated her wish that he should wait for her there, he stepped out on to the balcony.His patience was not put to a severe trial.She must have quickly found an opportunity of escaping from the Kennedys' society, for he saw her coming towards him even sooner than he had expected.
