Part 27 (1/2)

”General sahib, a?”

Ranjoor Singh had found his tongue at last, and the general noted with keen pleasure that eye, voice and ry and unafraid

”I command a squadron, sahib, unless I have been stricken ht face-doard in a carriage out of rat-traps by a woht Now I am wanted to take further part! Is h, General sahib? I will take no further part I refuse to obey! I order this trooper not to obey I dein with an apology,” s to pretend he felt coy It must first be proved to me that he, who tells me I am wanted to take further part in this rat- hole treachery, is not a traitor to the Raj! I have read of generals turning traitors! I have read about Napoleon; I kno his generals behaved when the sand in his glass seemed run I am for the Raj in this and in any other hour! I refuse to obey or to accept apology! Let the explanation be made me at court martial, with Colonel Kirby sahib present to bear witness to eneral's eyes met those of the Sikh officer, and neither could have told then, or at any other tinized

”Ranjoor Singh, when I entered this house ten o I had no notion I should find you here I have served the sans I even wear the same medals In the same house I aent business for the Raj, and you are here owing to a grave mistake, which I ady on behalf of the government, but which I can not alter I expected to find a trooper here, not necessarily of your regiment, who should have been waylaid and tempted beyond any doubt as to his trustworthiness

”I received a e that Yasmini had two absolutely honest ive them their instructions I ask you to sacrifice your pride, as we all of us e, and see this business through to a finish It is too late to h”

”Sahib, squadron-leading is ! I aue, and to take this trooper withI will have satisfiedsatisfied ues for ever Bass!”

The general stood as still on his square foot of floor as did Ranjoor Singh on his It was the fact that he did not flinch and did not strut about, but stood in one spot with his ar of the general's eye

”You may leave the house, then, and take your trooper I accept your pro The ordering of troops for the front-for France-is in io unless you'll see this through The whole regiuard over Delhi”

”The regio, sahib, and o?”

”That is the sacrifice you are asked to make!”

”Have I made no sacrifices for the Raj? How has my life been spent?

Sahib--”

The Sikh's voice broke and he ceased speaking, but the general, too, seemed at a loss for words

”Sahib-do I understand? If I do this-this rat-business, whatever it is-Colonel Kirby and the regio, and another leads ieneral nodded He felt and looked ashamed

”Has war been declared, sahib?”

”Yes Gerium”

For a second the Sikh's eyes blazed, but the fire died down again He clasped his hands in front of hi that I am asked to do,” he said; but his words were scarcely audible His trooper came a step closer, to be nearer to hiut Singh! We both stay behind!”

”Now, Risaldar-Major, I want you to listen! You've proeneral ”I'll make you the best promise I can in return Mine's conditional, but it's none the less eiment before it puts to sea If that's ie on another shi+p and try to overtake it If that again is iiment and be in France in time to lead your squadron I think I oes into action But, understand-I said, 'If possible!'”

Ranjoor Singh's eye brightened and he straightened perceptibly