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.