beyond our ken.  We do not at all doubt that our excellent fellow-townsman, Mr. Grish Chunder De, Esq., M. A., will uphold the prestige of the Bengali, notwithstanding what underhand intrigue and peshbundi may be set on foot to insidiously nip his fame and blast his prospects among the proud civilians, some of which will now have to serve under a despised native and take orders too.  How will you like that, Misters?  We entreat our beloved Viceroy still to substantiate himself superiorly to race-prejudice and colour-blindness, and to allow the flower of this now our Civil Service all the full pays and allowances granted to his more fortunate brethren.’

III

’When does this man take over charge?  I’m alone just now, and I gather that I’m to stand fast under him.’

‘Would you have cared for a transfer?’ said Bullows keenly.  Then, laying his hand on Tallantire’s shoulder:  ’We’re all in the same boat; don’t desert us.  And yet, why the devil should you stay, if you can get another charge?’

‘It was Orde’s,’ said Tallantire simply.

’Well, it’s De’s now.  He’s a Bengali of the Bengalis, crammed with code and case law; a beautiful man so far as routine and deskwork go, and pleasant to talk to.  They naturally have always kept him in his own home district, where all his sisters and his cousins and his aunts lived, somewhere south of Dacca.  He did no more than turn the place into a pleasant little family preserve, allowed his subordinates to do what they liked, and let everybody have a chance at the shekels.  Consequently he’s immensely popular down there.’

’I’ve nothing to do with that.  How on earth am I to explain to the district that they are going to be governed by a Bengali?  Do you—­does the Government, I mean—­suppose that the Khusru Kheyl will sit quiet when they once know?  What will the Mahomedan heads of villages say?  How will the police—­Muzbi Sikhs and Pathans—­how will they work under him?  We couldn’t say anything if the Government appointed a sweeper; but my people will say a good deal, you know that.  It’s a piece of cruel folly!’

’My dear boy, I know all that, and more.  I’ve represented it, and have been told that I am exhibiting “culpable and puerile prejudice.”  By Jove, if the Khusru Kheyl don’t exhibit something worse than that I don’t know the Border!  The chances are that you will have the district alight on your hands, and I shall have to leave my work and help you pull through.  I needn’t ask you to stand by the Bengali man in every possible way.  You’ll do that for your own sake.’

‘For Orde’s.  I can’t say that I care twopence personally.’