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His compassion was still strong, but it was mingled with a great horror. He felt that he must get away as soon as possible. Mr. Dewes, who had all along had the most profound conviction of the guilt of the accused man seized his opportunity, and stepping close up to him, whispered in his ear: "Mr. Maddison, I should like to save you if I can.
"I suppose it's the boy who keeps you young. How is he?" A look of anxiety troubled Mrs. Linforth's face; into her eyes there came a glint of fear. Colonel Dewes' voice became gentle with concern. "What's the matter, Sybil?" he said. "Is he ill?" "No, he is quite well." "Then what is it?" Sybil Linforth looked down for a moment at the gravel of the garden-path.
He dined at the house of an old friend, and after the ladies had gone he moved up into the next chair, and so sat beside a weary-looking official from the Punjab named Ralston, who had come down to Calcutta on leave. Colonel Dewes began to talk of his meeting with Shere Ali that afternoon. At the mention of Shere Ali's name the official sat up and asked for more.
For a few minutes he lay unnoticed in the empty square, his face upturned to the sky, and then a clamorous sound of lamentation was heard and an orderly came running through the alleys of the Fort, crying out that the Colonel Sahib was dead. He was not dead, however. He recovered conciousness that night, and early in the morning Dewes was roused from his sleep.
"I remember the last time I was in London I took out to supper none of the coryphées you boys are so proud of being seen about with, but" and, pausing impressively, he named a reigning lady of the light-opera stage. "You did!" exclaimed a subaltern. "I did," he replied complacently. "What did you talk about?" asked Major Dewes, and the Political Officer suddenly grew serious.
If you have any influence, use it; if you have none, obtain it. Only bring Linforth out to India, and bring him very quickly!" Once before a passionate appeal had been made to Colonel Dewes by a man in straits, and Colonel Dewes had not understood and had not obeyed.
Luffe took his seat in the middle, with Dewes upon his right and Lynes upon his left. Dewes expected him at once to press for information as to Linforth. But Luffe knew very well that certain time must first be wasted in ceremonious preliminaries. The news would only be spoken after a time and in a roundabout fashion.
He woke to find the Doctor shaking him by the shoulder. "Luffe wants you. He has not got very long now. He has something to say." Dewes slipped on his clothes, and hurried down the stairs. He followed the Doctor through the little winding alleys which gave to the Fort the appearance of a tiny village. It was broad daylight, but the fortress was strangely silent.
And everyone in Government House knows it. We shall do the usual thing, I have no doubt pension him off, settle him down comfortably outside the borders of Chiltistan, and rule the country as trustee for his son until the son comes of age." Dewes realised surely enough that Luffe was in possession of his faculties, but he thought his anxiety exaggerated.
If, when the time comes, Dick feels that work upon that road is his heritage, if he wants to follow in his father's steps, I shall say not a single word to dissuade him." Dewes stared at her. This half-hour of conversation had made real to him at all events the great strength of her hostility. Yet she would put the hostility aside and say not a word.
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