"I was near enough to hear every word that the Indians spoke, and they said that they were going to Simla.""And Mrs.Irwin? She didn't resist? She didn't cry for help? She allowed herself to be carried off quietly?""The lady was very proud.She did not say a word."An orderly officer stepped into the tent and brought the Prince an order to appear at once before the Commander-in-Chief.
"Do you know what about?" asked the Colonel.
"As far as I know, it concerns a report of Captain Obrutschev, who commanded the file of men told off for the execution.He reported that the Colonel had carried away a spy who was to be shot by order of the court-martial."Heideck was in consternation.
"Your act of grace is, after all, likely to land you in serious difficulties," he said."But, as I need now no longer conceal my quality as German officer, I can, in case the field telegraph is working, be able to establish my identity by inquiry at the General Staff of the German Army.""Certainly! and I entreat you not to be uneasy on my account; Ishall soon justify the action I have taken."He disappeared in company of the orderly officer; and Heideck the while plied the brave Morar Gopal afresh with questions as to the circumstances connected with Edith's kidnapping.
But the Hindu could not tell him anything more, as he had not dared approach Edith.He was only concerned with the endeavour to find his master.He had learnt that Heideck had been carried off by Cossacks and indefatigably pursued his investigations until at last, with the inborn acumen peculiar to his race, he had found out everything.That he, from this time forth, would share the lot of his adored sahib appeared to him a matter of course.And Heideck had not the heart, in this hour of their meeting again, to destroy his illusion.
After the lapse of half an hour Prince Tchajawadse returned.His joyous countenance showed that he was the bearer of good news.
"All is settled.My word was bond enough for the General, and he considered an inquiry in Berlin quite superfluous.""In truth, you Russians do everything on a grand scale," exclaimed Heideck."A great Empire, a great army, a wide, far-seeing policy, and a great comprehension for all things.""I also talked to the General touching my suggestion to include you in the ranks of our army, and he is completely of one mind with me in the matter.He also considers the difficulties of a journey to Germany under the present conditions to be almost unsurmountable.
He makes you the offer to enter his staff with the rank of captain.
Under the most favourable conditions you would only be able to reach Berlin after the war is over.""I do not believe that this war will be so soon at an end.Only reflect, half the globe is in flames.""All the same, you ought not to reject his offer.We could, to ease your mind, make inquiries on your behalf in Berlin.The field telegraph is open as far as Peshawar, and there is consequently connexion with Moscow, St.Petersburg, and Berlin.""I accept without further consideration.I should be happy, if permission were granted, to fight in your ranks.""There is no doubt of that whatever.I will at once procure you our white summer uniform and that of a captain of dragoons; and this sword, comrade, I hope you will accept from me as a small gift of friendship.""I thank you from my heart, Colonel."
"I salute you as one of ours.I might even be in a position to give you at once an order to carry out.""But not without permission from Berlin, Prince?""Well, then, we will wait for it; but it would be a great pity if, contrary to our expectation, it were to be delayed.The commission that I was on the point of procuring for you would certainly have greatly interested you.""And may I ask--"
"The General has the intention to send a detachment to Simla.""To Simla, the summer residence of the Viceroy?""Yes."
"But this mountain town is at the present moment not within the sphere of hostilities; the Viceroy remains in Calcutta.""Quite right; but that does not preclude the news of the occupation of Simla having a great effect on the world at large.Moreover, in the Government offices there there might possibly be found interesting documents which it would be worth while to intercept.""And you consider it possible that His Excellency would despatch me thither?""As the detachment to which my dragoons, as well as some infantry and two machine guns, would belong is under my command, I have begged the General to attach you to the expedition."Heideck understood the high-minded intentions of the Prince, and shook his hands almost impetuously.
"Heaven grant that permission from Berlin comes in time! I desire nothing in the world so earnestly as to accompany you to Simla."
