“And I had no notion of it!  But, after all, that is easy enough to explain.  All the telegraph cables are in the hands of the English, and it was easy for them to suppress every unwelcome despatch.  The Indian newspapers are only allowed, of course, to publish what is agreeable to the Government; but I am burning with curiosity to learn more.  Do you perhaps know how matters have developed as yet, and in what way Germany thinks of carrying on the war?”

“It appears that an invasion of England is contemplated.  Germany has mobilised one half of her army, and has occupied Holland.  The French troops, on the other hand, have entered Belgium, so that the two Powers control the whole coast opposite England.”

“And has any action taken place at sea as yet?”

“No; at least down to the present no news has reached us of a naval battle having been fought.  Things are evidently still in the stage of preparation, and nothing has been heard about the movements of the German and French fleets.  However, the latest intelligence that I have is now fairly old.  We with the army only learn the news that the Cossacks bring us.”

Heideck struck his forehead.

“I feel utterly astonished.  To comprehend and digest at one time all that you have told me almost passes the capacity of a single brain.  But pardon me, Prince, if I trouble you, who have already done so much for me to-day, with a further request.  I am in great anxiety about a lady, the widow of an English officer who fell in yesterday’s battle, and who was committed to my care.  I only left her this morning early, when I was arrested to be taken before the court-martial, at the mausoleum of Anar Kali, where she had been interned with other prisoners.  Advise me what to do, in order to send the lady, whose welfare is nearest my heart, a reassuring message as to my fate, and at the same time shield her from annoyance and discomfort.”

“That is a very simple matter.  Do you object to giving me the name of the lady?”

“Not at all.  It is Mrs. Edith Irwin, the widow of Captain Irwin, whom you also perhaps met in Chanidigot.”

“I think I have some recollection.  There was something about a gambling affair, with which he was not very creditably connected—­wasn’t it so?  Well, then, while you take a good sound sleep in my tent here I will ride over to Anar Kali, visit the lady, and find out how she is situated.  Be quite sure that no unpleasantness shall happen to her, if only I succeed in finding her.”

“Your kindness puts me quite to shame, Prince.  I—­”

“You would do precisely the same if fate had happened to have exchanged our roles.  Why, then, waste words about it?  I cannot, unfortunately, offer you a more comfortable couch than my camp-bed there.  But you are a soldier, and I think both of us have, before now, had a worse shakedown.  So, then, pleasant dreams, my friend!  I will take care that you are not disturbed for the next two hours.”