Part 45 (2/2)

This despatch, directed to the officer in command, was read aloud by Wyatt to Hulton and the doctor in the former's room.

”No,” said Hulton querulously, ”I'm not fit to take over the command, and I shall not be for long enough--shall I, Doctor?”

”Well, hardly yet, my dear boy,” was the reply: ”and there is no need.

I was obliged to get back to my work, in spite of Darrell proving such a formidable rival, but you can wait.”

”Well, read the rest,” said Hulton in an irritable tone.

”The rest?” said Wyatt, with a.s.sumed innocency.

”Yes; no nonsense,” said Hulton bitterly; ”you are keeping something back.”

Wyatt hesitated for a moment or two, and then tossed the paper to d.i.c.k.

”You finish it, lad,” he said.

d.i.c.k glanced from one to the other with his face flus.h.i.+ng and eyes lighting up, for, like Hulton, he had expected something more.

”Yes,” he cried eagerly, ”of course Wyatt is promoted to captain.”

Hulton's brow wrinkled, and his pale, thin face looked more sunken as he winced as if from a sting of pain, but for some moments he did not speak. Then a faint smile began to appear on his face, and he said sadly:

”I couldn't help feeling a bit upset, but I am not envious, Wyatt; only a weak, sick man. Shake hands, old fellow. I congratulate you. It was very bravely earned.”

Wyatt eagerly gripped the extended hand.

”I can't help it, old chap,” he said huskily. ”I'd rather they had given you your majority--but it's bound to come.”

”If I live,” said Hulton sadly.

”I'll answer for that,” said the doctor. ”Only it must take time. Ten men out of twelve would have sunk under such injuries as yours, so no grumbling. You've done and you're doing wonders. Wait a bit, and we'll congratulate you in turn as we do Captain Wyatt. Darrell, you ought to go and announce this to the Rajah.”

”No, no. Nonsense!” cried Wyatt excitedly. ”I'll tell him myself next time we meet.”

”You will not,” said Hulton, ”for I shall send him word myself. He ought to know. Write to him, Darrell, for me, and I'll sign the letter.”

Wyatt made a bit of a protest, and then was silent, the letter being written and despatched by an orderly, who brought back a message that the Rajah would come and see Captain Wyatt.

The latter gentleman's countenance was so absurdly comical that, as soon as the orderly had gone back to the stables, d.i.c.k burst into a roar of laughter, whereupon Wyatt turned to him fiercely.

”Look here, young fellow,” he cried, ”do you want to quarrel?”

”Of course not.”

”Then don't you laugh at me. It's no joke, I can tell you.”

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