Part 17 (1/2)
”Very well”
Kirby dived through his door, while Warrington went behind the shay to have a good look for causes He could find none, although a black leather apron, usually rolled up behind in order to be strapped over baggage when required, was
”Didn't see who took that apron, did you?” he asked the risaldar; but the risaldar had not known that it was gone
”All right, then, and thank you!” said Warrington, walking off into the darkness bareheaded, to help the smell evaporate from his hair; and the shay rumbled away to its appointed place, with the babu's loin-cloth inside it on the front seat
It need surprise nobody that Colonel Kirby found tiiment was as ready for active service at any ine should be-in that particular, India's speed is as three to Prussia's one The moment orders toorder and lead it away But there were no orders yet; he had -soap and a brush, and proceeded to scour his head After twenty es of water, when he felt that he dared face his own servant without blushi+ng, hehier
”What does my head smell of now?” he de-soap?”
”No, sahib!”
”Bring that carbolic disinfectant here!”
The servant obeyed, and Kirby s He laved his head in it generously, and washed it off sparingly
”Bring ain the wide-eyed Sikh obeyed
Kirby rolled the paper into torches, and giving the servant one, proceeded to fuate the room and his own person until not even a bloodhound could have tracked him back to Yasmini's, and the reek of musk had been temporarily, at least, subdued into quiescence
”Go and ask Major Brammle to come and see , and Kirby cursed hiht lips ords that were no less fervent for lack of being heard
”Hallo! Burning love-letters? The wholeHaven't had tis over when you called Look here!”
He opened the front of his love and a powder-puff
”Smell 'em!” he said ”Patchouli! Sha happen while I was gone?” asked Kirby
”Yes Most extraordinary thing You know that a few hours ago D Squadron were all sitting about in groups lookingWell, just about the titon drove off in the ! Wouldn't say a word Just grinned, and became the perkiest squadron of the lot!
”Now they're all sleeping like two-year-olds Reason? Not a word of reason! I saw young Warrington just now on his way to their quarters with a lantern, and if he can find any of 'eet the truth out of 'em, for they'll talk to hiton can't have conored the question
”Did you tell Warrington to go and ask them?” he demanded
”Yes Passed hinize him by the sainst the scent to have a ith hiirls! He must be in love with half India, and native at that! Brazen-faced young ot the disinfectant, and he told me he fell into a mud-puddle!”
”Perhaps he did,” said Kirby ”Was there et so near hiht to be spoken to? I mean, the eve of war's the eve of war and all that kind of thing, but-”