Heideck was in consternation.

“Your act of grace is, after all, likely to land you in serious difficulties,” he said.  “But, as I need now no longer conceal my quality as German officer, I can, in case the field telegraph is working, be able to establish my identity by inquiry at the General Staff of the German Army.”

“Certainly! and I entreat you not to be uneasy on my account; I shall soon justify the action I have taken.”

He disappeared in company of the orderly officer; and Heideck the while plied the brave Morar Gopal afresh with questions as to the circumstances connected with Edith’s kidnapping.

But the Hindu could not tell him anything more, as he had not dared approach Edith.  He was only concerned with the endeavour to find his master.  He had learnt that Heideck had been carried off by Cossacks and indefatigably pursued his investigations until at last, with the inborn acumen peculiar to his race, he had found out everything.  That he, from this time forth, would share the lot of his adored sahib appeared to him a matter of course.  And Heideck had not the heart, in this hour of their meeting again, to destroy his illusion.

After the lapse of half an hour Prince Tchajawadse returned.  His joyous countenance showed that he was the bearer of good news.

“All is settled.  My word was bond enough for the General, and he considered an inquiry in Berlin quite superfluous.”

“In truth, you Russians do everything on a grand scale,” exclaimed Heideck.  “A great Empire, a great army, a wide, far-seeing policy, and a great comprehension for all things.”

“I also talked to the General touching my suggestion to include you in the ranks of our army, and he is completely of one mind with me in the matter.  He also considers the difficulties of a journey to Germany under the present conditions to be almost unsurmountable.  He makes you the offer to enter his staff with the rank of captain.  Under the most favourable conditions you would only be able to reach Berlin after the war is over.”

“I do not believe that this war will be so soon at an end.  Only reflect, half the globe is in flames.”

“All the same, you ought not to reject his offer.  We could, to ease your mind, make inquiries on your behalf in Berlin.  The field telegraph is open as far as Peshawar, and there is consequently connexion with Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Berlin.”

“I accept without further consideration.  I should be happy, if permission were granted, to fight in your ranks.”

“There is no doubt of that whatever.  I will at once procure you our white summer uniform and that of a captain of dragoons; and this sword, comrade, I hope you will accept from me as a small gift of friendship.”

“I thank you from my heart, Colonel.”

“I salute you as one of ours.  I might even be in a position to give you at once an order to carry out.”