“What can Azimoolah have been about? He must be past his work.”
But the words were hardly spoken when the subject of his censure leaped in through the window, drawing his breath quickly, but not otherwise inconvenienced by a limp bundle of humanity which he carried over his shoulder, and now proceeded to dump like a sack on the floor. After securing the window, the Pathan turned and gravely saluted the General.
“There were three others, sahib, but they are gone,” he said simply. “At sight of thy servant fear seemed to fall upon them, so that they fled across the maidan like deer flushed by a cheetah. But this one was already climbed nigh to the window, so I followed, and choking him a little, brought him in.” And with his foot he slightly spurned the motionless form of his prisoner, whom the Duke and Forsyth recognized as the hero of the watch-spring saw who had been surprised cutting out the panel at Beaumanoir House a week before.
“Choked him a little!” said the General with a grim chuckle. “You don’t seem to have left much life in him, but it was no case for standing on ceremony. And now, madam,” continued the veteran, facing round to where
[310]
