“Jan Nikkelsen-sahib Bahadur?”
“Yes. I would refuse any other. But haste thee, for time presses.”
Chumru went off. He returned in half an hour, to find his master sealing a letter addressed to “Miss Winifred Mayne, to be forwarded, if possible, with the Lucknow Relief Force.”
There were others to relatives in England, and Frank tied them in a small packet.
“If I do not come back within a week—” he began.
“Nay, sahib, give not instructions to me in the matter. I go with you.”
“It is impossible.”
“Huzoor, it is the order of Jan Nikkelsen-sahib Bahadur. He says I will be useful, and he hath promised me another jaghir.”
The Mohammedan’s statement was true enough. He had waylaid Nicholson and obtained permission to accompany his master. Like a faithful dog he was not to be shaken off, and, in his heart of hearts, Malcolm was glad of it.