“Begins:  ’Information received from the Secretary to the Foreign Department, Government of India, confirms the intelligence that Chinese emissaries have for some time past been endeavouring to re-establish the former predominance of their nation over Tibet and Bhutan.  In the former country they appear to have met with little success; but in Bhutan, taking advantage of the hereditary jealousies of the Penlops, the great feudal chieftains, they appear to have gained many adherents.  They aim at instigating the Bhutanese to attempt an invasion of India through the duars leading into Eastern Bengal, their object being to provoke a war.  The danger to this country from an invading force of Bhutanese, even if armed, equipped, and led by Chinese, is not great.  But its political importance must not be minimised.

“’For the most serious feature of the movement is that information received by the Political Department gives rise to the grave suspicion that, not only many extremists in Bengal, but even some of the lesser rajahs and nawabs, are in treasonable communication with these outside enemies.

“’Major Dermot, at present commanding the detachment of the Military Battalion stationed at Ranga Duar, has been specially selected, on account of his acquaintance with the districts and dialects of the duars and that part of the Terai Forest bordering on Bhutan, to carry out a particular mission.  You are to direct him to inspect and report on the suitability, for the purposes of defence against an invasion from the north, of: 

  (a) The line of the mountain passes at an altitude of from 3000 to
        6000 feet.

  (b) A line established in the Terai Forest itself.

“’In addition, if this officer in the course of his investigations discovers any evidence of communication between the disloyal elements inside our territory and possible enemies across the border, he will at once inform you direct.’  Ends.

“Please note His Excellency’s orders and proceed to carry them out forthwith.  You can pursue your investigations under the pretence of big game shooting in the hills and jungle.  The British officer next in seniority to you will command the detachment in your absences You may communicate to him as much of the contents of this letter as you deem advisable, impressing upon him the necessity for the strictest secrecy.

“You will in all matters communicate directly and confidentially with this office.

“I have the honour to be, Sir,

“Your most obedient servant.”

Here followed the signature of one of the highest military authorities in
India.

Dermot stared at the letter.

“So that’s it!” he thought.  “It’s a bigger thing than I imagined.”