Part 9 (1/2)
Aspeed, thundered up the lane between the old stacked cannon and caruff question was answered gruffly, and athe door wide, and a British soldier stepped sram
Kirby tore it open His eyes blazed, but his hands were steady The soldier held out a receipt book and a pencil, and Kirby took titon, huan to squeeze the rain out of his tunic to hide impatience The soldier saluted, faced about and hurried to the waiting car Then Kirby read the telegraer-ends pressed tight into his pal, raised one eyebrow
”Yes,” said Kirby
”War, sir?”
”War”
”We're under orders?”
”Not yet It says, 'War likely to be general Be ready' Here, read it for yourself”
”They wouldn't have sent us that if-”
”Addressed to 0C troops They had those ready written out and sent one to every OC on the list the second they knew”
”Well, sir?”
”Leave the roo up his courage to edge nearer, did as he was told
Kirby stood still, facing the mirror, with both arms behind him
”They're certain to send native Indian troops to Europe,” he said
”We're ready, sir! We're ready to a shoe-string! We'll go first!”
”We'll be last, Warrington, supposing we go at all, unless we find Ranjoor Singh! They'll send us to do police work in Bengal, or to guard the Bo to the club You'd better colanced at the clock ”We'll just have time to drive past the house where you say he's supposed to be, if you hurry”
The last three words were lost, for Captain Warrington had turned into a thunderbolt and disappeared; the noise of his going was as when a sudden windstorm slams all the doors at once Afrom outside his quarters to his servant to be ready for him
He certainly bathed, for the noise of the tub overturning when he was done with it was unht ain, dressed, cloaked and ready
”Got your pistol, sir?”
”Yes,” said Kirby
”Thought I'd bring ether they cli-cart, well smothered under waterproofs Kirby touched up another of his road-devouring walers, the sais grabbed at the back seat and jumped for his life, and they shot out of the compound, down the line of useless cannon and out into the street, taking the corner as the honor of the regi side-laht down the metaled, muddy road, and the horse settled down between them to do his equine ”denized
They reached the edge of the bazaar to find the crowd stirring, although strangely ot the news in an hour from now,” said Kirby ”They can smell it already”