"How are you now, Gascoyne?" said the Colonel. "Had a good sleep?"
Gascoyne's eyes turned inquiringly to the other two.
"We're shooting up here, you know," replied the Colonel to his look. "This is Cameron," indicating the Captain, "and Dogan of the 74th—so you're among friends, old fellow."
He smiled, and said quietly, "It is many years since I heard the voice of a friend," and held out his hand, which the Colonel took and pressed.
"I feel very feeble," he resumed.
"We'll doctor you up all right. Dogan knows all the rigs of the medicine man."
Gascoyne protested with a feeble shake of the head.
"No, no," he said, "my mission's ended—but thank God I've met you fellows before going out." He paused, and then went on again, "I have something to tell you; but first tell me, was any attempt made to find the devil who—who——"
"I know whom you mean," said the Colonel, "Nana Sahib, the man who gave orders for the massacre at Cawnpore. Yes, every effort was made, and a very large reward was offered, but I am sorry to say he was never captured, and his fate remains a mystery to this day."
"I can clear that mystery for you," said the sick man, smiling grimly; and then with many pauses he told his three wondering listeners the tale I here set down as the Captain told it me:—