第63章

THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CAPTAIN OF DRAGOONS

The news of Edith's kidnapping--for, in Heideck's opinion, this was the only explanation, because she would otherwise have left a message for him--fell upon Heideck as a crushing blow.

He remembered the terrible cruelties narrated of the period of the Sepoy mutiny.And he only needed to remember his own experiences in Lahore to be convinced that all those horrible stories were no exaggeration, but, rather, well within the actual truth of the facts.

But if it was not a like fate that awaited Edith Irwin, yet perhaps another ignominious lot would be hers, and this could not fail to appear, to the man who loved her, more terrible even than death itself.

His alarm and deep despondency had not escaped the notice of the Prince.He laid his hand sympathetically on Heideck's shoulder, and said--"I am really quite miserable, comrade! for I now see what you and the lady are to each other.But perhaps you make yourself uneasy without cause; the departure of the lady is capable, perhaps, of a quite simple explanation."Heideck shook his head.

"I do not entertain any hope in this respect, for everything points to the fact that the Maharajah of Chanidigot is the man who has got the lady into his power.This sensual despot has for months past schemed how to obtain possession of her.What, in Heaven's name, is to be done to free the unhappy creature from his clutches?""I will inform the General, and doubt not that he will institute an inquiry.If your supposition is correct, the Maharajah will, of course, be compelled to set the lady free.But I doubt if this is the case.The despot of Chanidigot is at present far away.""That would not prevent others from acting on his orders.And do you really believe that your General would, for the sake of an English lady, offend an influential Indian prince, whose alliance would at this present moment be very advantageous for Russia?""Oh, my dear friend, we are not the barbarians we are held to be in Western Europe.We do not intend to be behind the rest of the world in chivalrous actions, and we certainly should not begin our rule in India by allowing execrable deeds of violence to take place before our very eyes.I am convinced that the General does not in this matter think differently from myself.""You do not know what a great comfort it is to me to hear that; for I shall myself be unable to do anything more for Mrs.Irwin.Since I know that Germany is engaged in the war, I can have no further interest but to join my army as quickly as possible.""Of course! A soldier's duty first.But how shall you manage to get to Germany? It will be a devilish hard job.""I must try all the same.Under no circumstances could I remain quietly here.""Well, then, let us consider matters.The best plan would be for you to return by sea from Bombay or some other port, like Calcutta, Madras, or Karachi.Karachi is nearest.It has even been given the name of the Entrance Gate to Central Asia.And from Lahore, Quetta, or Mooltan, Karachi can be most readily reached by the railway.Steamship communication between Karachi and Europe is only possible by way of Bombay; there is thence no other direct line of steamers than that plying up the Persian Gulf.You must accordingly go by one of the English steamers of the P.and O.

line, which start twice a week.The French Messageries Maritimes, which usually sail between Karachi and Marseilles, will, of course, have long since discontinued their services.You could, therefore, just as well go by railway to Bombay.Via Calcutta or Madras would be a roundabout journey.""And I should be entirely dependent upon the English steamship lines?""I consider it quite out of the question that the ships of the North German Lloyd or the Austrian Lloyd are still running.""Then I shall have to give up the idea of this route altogether.

For if I am not to make use of a forged passport, which, moreover, will be very hard to obtain, no English steamer will take me as a passenger.""That is certainly very probable," the Prince rejoined, after some thought."And then--how are you to get to Bombay? The English are, of course, destroying all the railways on their line of retreat.""Well, so far as that is concerned, I could go on horseback.""What! right through the English army? and at the risk of being arrested for a spy? Are you not aware that the conquered are, as a rule, smarter at shooting those whom they regard as spies than are the victors?"Heideck could not suppress a smile.