“Where on earth have you been?  Andover said you started out to come here last night.  I did as you told me, you know, and when you didn’t come I roused the Khautmi people.  They swore a good deal but turned out, and after an infernal long climb we got to Forza.  We roused up Andover after a lot of trouble, and he took us in and gave us supper.  He said you had gone off hours ago, and that the Bada-Mawidi business had been more or less of a fraud.  So I slept there and came back here in the morning in case you should turn up.  Been shooting all day, but it was lonely work and I didn’t get the right hang of the country.  These beggars there are jolly little use,” and he jerked his head in the direction of the native servants.  “What have you been after?”

“I?  Oh, I’ve been in queer places.  I fell into the hands of the Badas a couple of hours after I left Forza.  There was a storm up there and I got lost in the mist.  They took me up to a village and kept me there all night.  And then I heard news—­my God, such news!  They let me go because they thought I could do no harm and I ran most of the way here.  Marker has scored this time, old man.  You know how he has been going about all North India for the last year or two getting things much his own way.  Well, to-night when the moon rises the great blow is to be struck.  It seems there is a pass to the north of this; I knew the place but I didn’t know of the road.  There is an army coming down that place in an hour or so.  It is the devil’s own business, but it has got to be faced.  We must warn Bardur, and trust to God that Bardur may warn the south.  You know the telegraph hut at the end of the road, when you begin to climb up the ravine to the place?  You must get down there at once, for every moment is precious.”

George had listened with staring eyes to the tale.  “I can’t believe it,” he managed to ejaculate.  “God, man! it’s invasion, an unheard-of thing!”

“It’s the most desperate truth, unheard-of or no.  The whole thing lies in our hands.  They cannot come till after midnight, and by that time Thwaite may be ready in Bardur, and the Khautmi men may be holding the road.  That would delay them for a little, and by the time they took Bardur they might find the south in arms.  It wouldn’t matter a straw if it were an ordinary filibustering business.  But I tell you it’s a great army, and everything is prepared for it.  Marker has been busy for months.  There will be outbreaks in every town in the north.  The railways and arsenals will be captured before ever the enemy appears.  There will be a native rising.  That was to be bargained for.  But God only knows how the native troops have been tampered with.  That man was as clever as they make, and he has had a free hand.  Oh the blind fools!”

George had turned, and was buttoning the top button of his shooting-coat against the chilly night wind.  “What shall I say to Thwaite?” he asked.