Page:Biggers and Ritchie - Inside the Lines.djvu/259

 "The utmost care, remember!" he warned again.

"Is it likely I should fail you this time, General Sahib, when so many times I have succeeded?"

"Make the search complete." General Crandall ignored his servant's question. "But return as quickly as you can. I shall keep Captain Woodhouse here until you do so. You must report to me before he leaves this house."

"When the moment arrives, your servant shall fly, General Sahib," the Indian replied, and withdrew.

"I say, General, you have a great deal of faith in your Indian," Bishop ventured, accepting a cigarette from his superior's case. "Rather a delicate commission you've given him."

"Absolute faith, yes. Been with me five years—picked him up in Rangoon—have tried him many times, and found him loyal as any officer in the service." General Crandall put in his words enough emphasis to carry slight rebuke for the other's implied criticism. But the pursy little major was too sure of the fine terms of personal friendship between himself and his superior to feel embarrassment.