on is very natural and does you
credit; I will not suggest that your affection for him may lead you to
rate Captain Sedgwick's qualifications too highly. No doubt, he is an
excellent officer, but these appointments are not made on a lady's
recommendation."

"Are they not?" Mrs. Chudleigh asked with a touch of irony. "Remember
that I have lived at Simla and know that influence often goes a long
way I have seen it at work."

Challoner frowned. "So have I, but it is a thing I have always set my
face against. The man for a post of this kind must be chosen on his
merits."

"How are they to be ascertained, unless you take the opinion of those
who know him best?"

"It is often difficult, but the safest test is his work as it is known
to his official superiors. Unless he is judged by this, there is a
risk of partiality and unfairness. Social influence is a dangerous
thing and deplorable mistakes have been made when it has been allowed
to have effect."

"Then you will do nothing?"

Her tone was harsh and Challoner looked at her in surprise.

"It is possible that Greythorpe may consult me, though I do not know
what weight my opinion would have with him. If the information he lays
before me seems to indicate that Captain Sedgwick is the best man, I
should suggest his appointment."

Mrs. Chudleigh appeared to acquiesce and said nothing for some minutes.
She was sorry that Challoner had not proved more amenable, since his
stubbornness forced her into a distasteful line of action, but she
could not spare him when her lover's future was at stake.

"After all," she said, "a soldier's official record is sometimes as
little to be trusted as you think his friends' estimate of him ought to
be. I have an instance in view; two men I know took part in an action
on the Indian frontier, and one gained a reputation for courage, and
the other obloquy. As it happened, neither was deserved."

"On the Indian frontier?" Challoner glanced at her sharply.

"Yes; some time since. A night attack was made upon a hill which
formed the key to the position of a small British force. An order to
retreat was wrongly given."

"Ah!" said Challoner; "I have good reason to remember that affair. May
I ask what you know about it?"

"I'm convinced I know the truth, which has been concealed."

Challoner started and his face grew eager. "Then your knowledge is of
great importance and I must beg you to share it with me. It may clear
a man