“That is right!” cried Mrs. Baird, with bright eyes.  “A British army must not wait for the enemy, but go and meet him.”

“We shall march out at early dawn to try and prevent the Russians from crossing the Ravi.  The engineers leave to-night in advance to destroy the bridges, if it is not already too late.  The army has to execute a considerable movement to the left about, in order to reach the right position.  At the same time the front has to be extended and lengthened to the right.  The left wing remains at Shah Dara and the pontoon bridge.”

“Is it not possible for us to come out also and look on at the battle?” inquired Mrs. Baird.  But her husband shook his head in decided refusal.

“For you, dearest Ellen, our trustworthy Smith will have a cart, with two strong oxen, ready here in the hotel.  That is to provide for all eventualities.  Should you receive news that the army is retreating upon Lahore—­which the Lord forbid—­you must lose not a minute, but drive as quick as possible, before the crush at the gates and in the streets begins, through the Akbari gate over the canal bridge leading to the Sadrbazar, and so to Amritsar, where you may be able to take the railway to Goordas.  All other lines are closed for other than military purposes.  Panic will not extend so far as that, and there, in any small hill station, you will find a safe resting-place for the present.  And now, Mr. Heideck, may I trouble you by asking a great favour of you?”

“I am entirely at your disposal, Colonel.”

“Stop here in the hotel—­try to obtain the latest intelligence as to the course of events, and act as protector to the ladies and children until they are in security.  If you will permit me to hand you a cheque—­”

“Please leave that for the present, Colonel,” Heideck replied.  “I am provided with plenty of money and will render you an account later.  I promise to protect your family and Mrs. Irwin as well as I can.  But I think it would be better for me not to remain in the town, but to accompany the troops.  I will return as soon as possible should events take an unfavourable turn.  The anxiety of the ladies would be unnecessarily increased, and I myself should be uncertain as to what to do if we received unreliable news here in the hotel as to the position of affairs.”

“You are right,” said the Colonel, after a moment’s hesitation.  “Already now the most absurd rumours are flying about.  Leaflets have been distributed amongst our Mohammedan troops inciting them with the maddest and most deceitful promises to desert from the British army.  A few persons, taken whilst distributing such leaflets, have been already shot without more ado.  I leave everything to your circumspection and decision.  In any case, it will be best for you to keep as near to the Commander-in-Chief as possible.  My permit will open the road to you everywhere.  I will thank you later on.”

He shook Heideck’s hand warmly, and embraced his wife and his children once more, and the two men turned to leave.  The dull foreboding that it was a parting for ever lay heavily upon all of them.