He recognised that his delay in answering only made the answer more difficult to give.

It could not be evaded.

He blurted out the truth apologetically.
"Well, you see, we don't give the Victoria Cross to natives." Shere Ali was silent for a while.

He stood with his eyes fixed upon the tower, his face quite inscrutable.
"Yes, I guessed that would be the reason," he said quietly.
"Well," said his companion uncomfortably, "I expect some day that will be altered." Shere Ali shrugged his shoulders, and turned to go down.

At the gateway of the Fort, by the wire bridge, his escort, mounted upon their horses, waited for him.