“Barracks? What barracks?”
“There is but one barracks between here and Jundhra.”
“Then—then—then—what has happened, Mahommed Khan?”
“The worst has happened, heavenborn!”
He stood between her and the ayah, so that she could not see the woman huddled on the floor.
“The worst? You mean then—my—my—husband—you don't mean that my husband—”
“I mean, heavenborn that there is insurrection! All India is ablaze from end to end. These dogs here in Hanadra wait to rise because they think the section will return here in an hour or two; then they propose to burn it, men, guns and horses, like snakes in the summer grass. It is well that the section will not return! We will ride out safely before morning!”
“And, my husband—he knew—all this—before he left me here?”
“Nay! That he did not! Had I told him, he had disobeyed his orders and shamed his service; he is young yet, and a hothead! He will be far along the road to Jundhra before he knows what burns. And then he will remember that he trusts me and obey orders and press on!”
“And you knew and did not tell him!”