Part 19 (1/2)
”And I? What of eant hesitated
”Can I read ton ”And so can I That is why I had you called from your sleep I sent for you to learn the truth What was the uard by the outer gate this evening, and delivered by him or by some other e”
”Repeat it to me”
”Sahib, it was verbal I can not reh, you lie! Did I ever lie to you? Did I ever threaten you and not carry out my threats-promise you and not keep my promise? I am a soldier! Are you a cur?”
”God forbid, sahib! I-”
”Arjan Singh! Repeat that e toan order, but as a friend of Ranjoor Singh to a friend of Ranjoor Singh!”
”The e was to the squadron, not to me, sahib”
”Are you not of the squadron?”
”Make it an order, sahib!”
”Certainly not-nor a favor either!”
”Sahib, I-”
”Nor will I threaten you! I guarantee you absolute immunity if you refuse to repeat it My word on it! I ah's friend, and I ask of his friend!”
”The babu said: 'Says Ranjoor Singh, ”Let the squadron be on its best behavior! Let the squadron know that surely before the blood runs he will be there to lead it, wherever it is! Meanwhile, let the squadron be worthy of its salt and of its officers!”'”
”Was that all?” asked Warrington
”All, sahib May h That's all You needn't ht”
”Fooled,” chuckled Warrington ”She's fooled us to the limit of our special bent, and I take it that's stiff-neckedness!”
He hurried away toward Colonel Kirby's quarters, swinging his lantern and huhts!” he told himself ”It's Delhi- Twentieth Century AD! Gad! Wouldn't the whole confounded ar, to hurry faster, for a giant horn had rooted chunks out of the blackness by the barrack gate, and nohat sounded like a racing car was tearing up the drive The head-lights dazzled him, but he ran and reached the colonel's porch breathless He was adether, facing an aide-de-camp In the colonel's hand was a medium-sized, sealed envelope
”Shall I repeat it, sir?” asked the aide-de-camp
”Yes, if you think it necessary” answered Kirby
”The sealed orders are not to be opened until out at sea You are expected to parade at dawn the day after to-morrow, and there will be souide for the occasion In fact, you will be guided at each point until it is tiiven about anything until later on That's all Good night, sir-and good luck!”