f has returned an old
man to England. But excuse me a moment."

The Eurasian apothecary, the only man in the camp who could speak
English, had entered deprecatingly, with a visage of alarm. Gerrard
spoke sharply.

"Don't look so frightened, Mr Moraes. What is it?"

"Zere are soldiers approaching, sar--a whole armee. What is to be
done?"

"Bid Sirdar Badan Hazari send the men to their posts, and challenge the
strangers before they get within musket-shot." He turned again to the
old man. "You think that Colonel Antony might wish to make himself
King of Granthistan, but which of all the English has ever done such a
thing?"

"Nay, but they conquered for their masters. This man who resists his
masters must surely have some advantage for himself in view?"

"Sahib!" It was the little boy who spoke eagerly before Gerrard could
answer; "who are these men with guns and swords, and why do they come
before the tent?"

Gerrard cast a careless glance at his twelve troopers, noticing that
the old Sirdar did not move a muscle. "They are to protect my guests,
little prince," he answered.

"But why are their guns pointed this way?"

"That my guests may see them, and know themselves safe."

"Your guests are much indebted to your thoughtfulness, sahib," said the
old man, with something of mockery in his tone. Gerrard would have
given much to know what was passing behind those inscrutable eyes. Was
that long curved dagger, with the handle of which the Sirdar's fingers
were continually playing, destined to be sheathed in his heart at the
moment that an attack was made upon the camp from without? It almost
looked like it, and yet why had the old man given such a hostage to
fortune as the child he had brought with him? To prevent a flagging in
the conversation, which might have been attributed to nervousness,
Gerrard brought out his sketch-book, and requested the honour of taking
the portraits of Sirdar Hari Ram and his grandson. The request was
granted, but before the water for which he called had been brought
Moraes appeared again.

"Ze strange officer desire to see you, sar. He say he Rajah Partab
Singh's _Komadan_." [1]

"Tell him to send a message, since I am engaged with guests."

"He say you must give up zose persons, sar. Old man and leetle boy, he
come to look for zem."

"Then tell him to come and take them. And you can promise him in my
name a pretty tough job if he does." He turned from Moraes w