Nothing should harm his mistress; he was ready now and at all times to lay down his life for her; in this the British Raj came second.

He had sent a courier to Bruce Sahib's bungalow, but the man had returned to report that it was still unoccupied.
And while he bit his nails in futile wrath and smoked till his tongue grew bitter, some miles away there was much confusion in the jungle by the water.

Tents were being set up, native bearers and coolies were running to and fro, building fires, carrying water, hobbling the pack elephants.

Wandering in and out of this animated scene was a young man, clean shaven, deeply tanned, with blue eyes which were direct, small pupiled, yet kindly.

Presently he called to one of the head men.
"Ali, you might send three or four men on to the bungalow to clean up things.