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 along the train and looked into every carriage, but he could not see the Duke.”

And Perrett won golden opinions from the General by adding that, not satisfied with that, he got the station-master to wire up the line to the point of the accident, and received in reply the positive assurance that no injured persons had been left behind. All had been forwarded to their destinations by the succeeding fast train, which had been made “slow” for the purpose.

The General had already mastered the timetable, and knew that only one more train from London would stop at Tarrant Road that night—the last, due at a quarter past midnight. The coachman therefore received, as he had expected, orders to return to the station in time to meet that train, and the General, lighting a fresh cigar, strolled back to the terrace, where, in response to his low whistle, Azimoolah glided to his side.

“There is work afoot,” he said, briefly. “Canst, as of yore, do without sleep at a pinch?”

“Ay, and without food if it is so willed by Allah and the sahib.”

Whereupon the General gave him the best