partly because it would have been very dangerous to attempt to make
the descent in the dark.

At daybreak they continued their journey, arriving at Bombay six
hours later. They rode straight for the Government House, where
Harry dismounted and, throwing the reins of his horse to Abdool,
told the attendant to inform the Governor that a messenger, from
the Resident at Poona, desired to see him. He was at once shown in.

"Why, it is Mr. Lindsay!" the Governor said, "though I should
scarce know you, in your paint and disguise. The matter on which
you come must be something urgent, or Mr. Uhtoff would not have
sent you down with it."

Harry handed over the despatch of which he was bearer and, as the
Governor ran his eye over it, his face became more and more grave,
as he gathered the news.

"This is serious, indeed," he said, "most serious. Now be pleased
to sit down, Mr. Lindsay, and furnish me with all the particulars
of the affair."

When Harry had finished, the Governor said:

"I imagine that you can have eaten nothing today, Mr. Lindsay. I am
about to take tiffin, and bid you do so with me. I shall at once
send to members of the Council and, by the time we have finished
our meal, they will no doubt be here."

"I shall be very glad to do so, sir, if you will allow me to go
into the dressing room, and put on my uniform. I should hardly like
to sit down to table in my present dress."

"Do so by all means, if you wish it; but you must remember that
your colour will not agree well with your dress."

"I will remove these caste marks, sir, and then I shall look only
as if I were somewhat severely tanned."

In ten minutes a servant knocked at the door, and said that
luncheon was ready. Harry was already dressed in his uniform, and
had removed the marks on his forehead; the dye, however, was as
dark as ever. He had, on leaving the Governor's room, sent a
servant down to fetch his wallet, and to tell Abdool that he was to
take the horses to the barracks.

The meal was an informal one. The Governor asked many questions,
and was pleased at the knowledge that Harry showed of all the
principal persons in Poona, and their character and ability.

"At the present moment," he said, "the information that you have
given me cannot be utilized; but it would be most valuable, were we
to get mixed up in the confusion of parties at Poona. I gather that
you consider Nana Furnuwees to be a great man."

"My opinion is not worth m