“It was a glorious idea; we explained it to the men, who took it in like so many school-boys. Those little Gurkha fiends turned somersault as they thought of the pandies[1] being taken in; and they laughed till the tears rolled down their smooth cheeks. I stained my face and put on one of the men’s uniforms, whilst Bahram Khan squeezed himself into mine, and everything worked beautifully.”
[1] A nickname for rebels. Mongul Pandy was the name of the first noted mutineer.
“And did no one suspect?” asked the major.
“Not a soul! You see, there never were such rabid haters of the British as we have been for the past twenty-four hours! We were quite willing to eat you all, either cooked or raw; no half-measures with the Guides!”
“You disgustin’ treacherous brutes!” chirped our ensign, who was in a state of wild and gleeful excitement.
Bahram Khan stood by, grinning, well pleased with his handiwork, as were all these stalwart soldiers of the Guide Corps. Jim Russell’s story ended, the deputy-commissioner passed his arm through Munro’s, and, announcing that he wished to consult him with respect to granting a reward to the loyal Rajputs, he led the major from the room. The remark was accompanied by a significant look, and, taking the hint, the remaining officers made some excuse to leave.
The ladies saw and understood, and in a few moments Jim and Ethel were left alone. They were grateful, yet for some moments not a word was uttered by either. The precious time was not exactly wasted, though.
“My poor girl, what you must have suffered!” Jim murmured as he held her hands within his own and fondled them.
“Are you really here, Jim, or am I dreaming? It seems too good to be true.”
“I think I really am here,” was the reply, and Jim set to work to convince her.