"What is it his duty to do?"
"That depends on circumstances, and the circumstances in the present case are peculiar."
"State them precisely, please."
The Sirdar hesitated, glanced again at the Cadi, this time with an expression of obvious repugnance, and then said—
"The peculiar circumstances in this case are, my dear Nuneham, that though the prisoner cannot possibly be held under the warrant by which he was arrested, he is wanted by the military courts for other offences."
"Therefore——"
"Therefore the Commandant has come with me to ask you whether the man he has taken to-night is to be handed over to the military authorities or——"
"Or what?"
"Or allowed to go free."
The Consul-General swung his chair round until he came face to face with the Sirdar, and said, with withering bitterness—