“Tell us, then,” asked Leigh, “is it true that Tynan Sahib tried to prevent Russell Sahib firing the train?”
“In short,” said the deputy-commissioner, “did Ensign Tynan act as an officer or as a coward?”
“Nay,” the man earnestly replied, “I do not like Tynan Sahib overmuch, greatly preferring Russell Sahib, but he was not a coward. He was very much excited, as we all were, and he tried to snatch the candle from his comrade’s hand. But I thought they were contesting who should light the train, as if it matters who did it. The important thing is that it was done.”
The Englishmen whispered together, and presently Munro said: “You may go, Dwarika Rai.”
“I must say,” began Colonel Woodburn, “his evidence confirms Tynan’s in every important respect. I’m afraid we’ve done the lad a serious injustice.”
“Yet his account differs from Russell’s in point of actual fact, not merely in the interpretation put upon facts,” the deputy-commissioner argued.
“Ted was probably excited, and the shock may have temporarily affected his memory,” Leigh suggested.
“Ted is certainly to blame,” said Munro. “He may easily have mistaken Tynan’s excitement for terror.”
“We forget. Ted Russell never accused Tynan of cowardice. That was Ambar Singh.”