Trent was possessed of a mad desire to laugh. Who was telling the truth, Sarojini Nanjee or Hsien Sgam?... Chavigny, the celebrated Chavigny!
"As I told you one night on shipboard," he heard the Mongol saying, "our troops are good fighters, but untrained. They need a competent leader—a tactician. Organization; training. Those are the necessary elements. And they must be taught with the technique of modern warfare, by some one who understands the mechanism of a great unit of men. If you will accept that post, your title will be that of Commanding General. From Shingtse-lunpo you will go into Inner Mongolia, where preparations are under way to launch a big offensive. We have already taken a few strides. On the fifth of this month Urga was captured and Ungern's 'White Guards' defeated. But without organized force all this work will have been accomplished for nothing.... You will be well repaid for your services. When I am Emperor of Mongolia I shall not forget."
Trent's aggressive jaw was shot forward; but for that his expression was unchanged.
"You seem to forget I am an Englishman," he reminded.
Hsien Sgam merely smiled. "Men have lost their identities before. Sarojini Nanjee's messenger is on his way to India. That will account for your absence to the Government."
Trent looked almost amused. "A sort of birthright-for-a-mess-of-pottage affair, isn't it?"
"I do not comprehend"—thus the Mongol.
Trent did not try to explain. He queried: "What if I prefer to do otherwise than as you suggest?"
"I am prepared against such a decision." That lurking smile returned. "Na-chung, who is a very wise councillor, suspected that your muleteer was—er—not as you represented him—or, I should say, her. I ordered an investigation.... That you were accompanied by a woman, evidently one to whom you are—er—attached, was all I could have wished for.... I acted. She has not been molested; nor will she be, if you accept the terms which I have offered."
Trent's nails dug fiercely into his palms. It was with an effort that he kept his face in an expressionless mold.