“I know,” said Lewis dismally.

“You see it is the Nemesis of your race which has overtaken you.  The rich, strong blood of you Haystouns must be given room or it sours into moodiness.  It is either a spoon or a spoiled horn with you.  You are capable of the big virtues, and just because of it you are extraordinarily apt to go to the devil.  Not the ordinary devil, of course, but to a very effective substitute.  You want to be braced and pulled together.  A war might do it, if you were a soldier.  A religious enthusiasm would do it, if that were possible for you.  As it is, I have something else, which I came up to propose to you.”

Lewis faced round in an attitude of polite attention.  But his eyes had no interest in them.

“You know Bardur and the country about there pretty well?”

Lewis nodded.

“Also I once talked to you about a man called Marka.  Do you remember?”

“Yes, of course I do.  The man who went north from Bardur the week before I turned up there?”

“Well, there’s trouble brewing thereabouts.  You know the Taghati country up beyond the Russian line.  Things are in a ferment there, great military preparations and all the rest of it, and the reason, they say, is that the hill-tribes in the intervening No-man’s-land are at their old games.  Things look very ugly abroad just now, and we can’t afford to neglect anything when a crisis may be at the door.  So we want a man to go out there and find out the truth.”

Lewis had straightened himself and was on his feet before Wratislaw had done.  “Upon my word,” he cried, “if it isn’t what I expected!  We have been far too sure of the safety of that Kashmir frontier.  You mean, of course, that there may be a chance of an invasion?”

“I mean nothing.  But things look ugly enough in Europe just now, and Asia would naturally be the starting-point.”

Lewis made some rapid calculations in his head which he jotted on the wood of the fireplace.  “It would take a week to get from Bardur to Taghati by the ordinary Kashmir rate of travelling, but of course the place is unknown and it might take months.  One would have to try it?”

“I can only give you the bare facts.  If you decide to go, Beauregard will give you particulars in town.”

“When would he want to know?”

“At once.  I go back to-morrow morning, and I must have your answer within three days.  You would be required to start within a week.  You can take time and quiet to make up your mind.”

“It’s a great chance,” said Lewis.  “Does Beauregard think it important?”

“Of the highest importance.  Also, of course it is dangerous.  The travelling is hard, and you may be knocked on the head at any moment as a spy.”

“I don’t mind that,” said the other, flushing.  “I’ve been through the same thing before.”

“I need not say the work will be very difficult.  Remember that your errand will not be official, so in case of failure or trouble we could not support you.  We might even have to disclaim all responsibility.  In the event of success, on the other hand, your fortune is something more than made.”