ib, the two foreign devils, and all their
belongings!"

Johnstone was on his feet with a single bound. "Gone! What do you tell
me, you fool?" He was shaking the slim-boned native as if he were a man
of straw.

"They went to the railroad at two o'clock at night, the coachman told
me. We only began our watch by your orders at daybreak. She had been
then gone four hours." Johnstone foamed in an impotent rage.

"Who is left in the house?" he roared.

"Nobody, Sahib." tersely said the Hindu.

"Get out and send me Simpson!" the old man sternly said. "Go back and
watch that house till I have you relieved. Tell me everyone who goes in
or out!"

And then the horrible fear that Willoughby or Abercromby had deceived
him, began to dawn upon his excited mind. "Simpson," he cried, "there's
a good fellow! Take the first trap and get over to Major Hawke. Tell him
that I must see him here, at once, on the most important business. He
must come. Then get to Ram Lal, and bring him yourself to your own room.
Let me know, privately, when he is there. Never mind my dressing. Send
me a couple of the others. Is the General awake?"

"Just coming down for his ride! Horses ordered in half an hour!"

Simpson fled away, muttering, "Hardwicke must know of this!"

Hugh Johnstone fancied that he was dreaming when he met his official
guest, refreshed and jovial, but still under the spell of Venus.

"See here, Hugh!" said the gallant Abercromby. "I want you to present
me to that stunning woman over there, at the Silver Bungalow, you know.
They tell me she's the Queen of Delhi. You old rascal, I'm bound to know
her! Can't we have a little breakfast there, under the rose?" A last
desperate expedient occurred to Johnstone. His baronetcy was in danger
now.

"There's but one man in Delhi can bring you within the fairy circle.
That's Hawke--a devilish good officer too, by the way! Ought to be back
on the 'Temporary Staff,' at least! He comes here to breakfast! I'll
turn you over to him. He manages all the lady's private affairs. He is
your man."

General Abercromby turned a stony eye upon his host. "Does Willoughby go
there?" he huskily whispered.

"Never crossed the line! Hawke is far too shy. You see, Willoughby has
not recognized Major Hawke's rank and past services!"

"Ah!" said the jealous warrior. "If Hawke is the man you say he is, I
can get the Viceroy to give him a local rank, in two weeks! Send him
down with me to Calcutta!" and the