amazing. I don't yet seem to take it in."

"Oh--you _will_." The hand closed again on his shoulder. "Now I'll clear
out. Time you were clothed and in your right mind."

And they had not so much as mentioned her name!

* * * * *

But even when clothed, Roy did not feel altogether in his right mind. He
was downright thankful to be helping Lance with some sports for the men,
designed to counteract the infectious state of ferment prevailing in the
city, on account of to-morrow's deferred _hartal_. For the voice of
Mahatma Ghandi--saint, fanatic, revolutionary, which you will--had gone
forth, proclaiming the sixth of April a day of universal mourning and
non-co-operation, by way of protest against the Rowlatt Act. For that
sane measure--framed to safeguard India from her wilder elements--had
been twisted, by skilled weavers of words, into a plot against the
liberty of the individual. And Ghandi must be obeyed.

Flamboyant posters in the city bewailed 'the mountain of calamity about
to fall on the Motherland', and consigned their souls to hell who
failed, that day, to close their business and keep a fast. To spiritual
threats were added terrorism and coercion, that paralysis of the city
might be complete.

It was understood that, so long there was no disorder, the authorities
would make no move. But, by Saturday, all emergency plans were complete:
the Fort garrison strengthened; cavalry and armoured cars told off to be
available.

Roy had no notion of being a mere onlooker, if things happened; and he
felt sure they would. Directly he was dressed he waited on the Colonel,
and had the honour to offer his services in case of need;
further--unofficially--to beg that he might be attached, as extra
officer, to Lance's squadron. The Colonel--also unofficially--expressed
his keen appreciation; and Roy might rest assured the matter would be
arranged.

So he went off in high feather to report himself to Lance, and discuss
the afternoon's programme.

Lance was full of a thorough good fellow he had stumbled on, a Sikh--and
a sometime revolutionary--whose eyes had been opened by three years'
polite detention in Germany. The man had been speaking all over the
place, showing up the Home Rule crowd, with a courage none too common in
these days of intimidation. After the sports, he would address the men;
talk to them, encourage them to ask questions.

It occurred to Roy that he had heard something of