is safe. How thankful I am! And I know you will be glad
too. Yesterday I received the enclosed note from him; you see it is
written on the back of a torn label. He is in Delhi, but does not
say where; I suppose he was afraid to write too much in case the
chit fell into the hands of the mutineers. The man who brought it
knows nothing; perhaps it is that he knows but will not tell. Will
you try to find out where my dear father is? Some good friend must
be hiding him. I know you have spies in the city, and I should be
so happy if you could find out something more about him, and
whether he is well, and many, _many_ other things. Do help me,
there's a good friend.

"Yours sincerely,

"MARY CRADDOCK.

"P.S.--Perhaps that young Guide who saved me from the horrid men
would go into the city. He would do _anything_ for me, I know."

"Just like a girl," said Daly, handing the letter back.

"Now that's not fair," said the kindly old general. "Wait till you have
daughters of your own, Daly. It is good news that Craddock is still
alive; his wife, poor woman, was killed as she was escaping. He and I
are old friends. D'you know him?"

"No. But the idea is impossible, of course. Without more information it
would be like looking for a needle in a bottle of hay. Besides, he's in
hiding; no one would have the ghost of a chance of finding him."

"One of his servants may be faithful, and keeping him concealed."

"Yes, but better not set anybody inquiring too closely for Craddock's
servants. If those fiends suspect one of them is hiding an Englishman it
will be all up with him and his master too."

"Still, Craddock is my friend, and I stood godfather to his girl.
Couldn't one of Hodson's spies help us? Or this Guide she mentions--what
about him?"

"He's a clever young fellow, no doubt--showed pluck and resource in
saving the girl; but I don't know that I should like to send him into
that wasps' nest. One of Hodson's spies would run less risk."

"Well, we'll ask Hodson. Poor fellow! He is rather knocked up, I'm
afraid."

The general sent an orderly to ask Lieutenant Hodson to visit him, and
in a few minutes he appeared. The case was put to him, and he read Mary
Craddock's letter.

"All my men are out," he said. "Let's have a look at this man of yours,
Daly. Who is he?"

"A Pathan," replied Daly, and related how Ahmed had rescued the girl.

"A likely fello