quoted at ninety yesterday on the
London Exchange, while a week ago they stood at ninety-six. The English
are reluctant to declare openly that war has already commenced."

"War without a declaration of war," the Prince agreed. "In any case we
must hurry, if we are to get over the frontier. I should be sorry to
miss the moment when fighting begins in Afghanistan."

"I can feel with you there. But there really is no time to lose."

"If you agree, we will start this very day. At midnight we shall arrive
at Mooltan, and at noon to-morrow in Attock. To-morrow night we can be
in Peshawar. There we must get our permits to cross the Khyber Pass.
The sooner we get through the Pass the better, for later we might have
difficulties in obtaining permission."

"I hope you are carrying nothing suspicious about you--charts, drawings,
or things of that sort."

The Russian smilingly shook his head. "Nothing but Murray's Guide, the
indispensable companion of all travellers; I should take good care
not to take anything else. As for you, of course you need not be so
careful."

"Why?"

"Because you are a German. There is no war with Germany, but I should at
once be in danger of being arrested as a spy."

"I really believe that neither of us need fear anything, even if we
were recognised as officers. I should think that there are quite as many
English officers on Russian territory at this very moment as Russian
officers here in India."

"As long as war has not been actually declared, it is customary to be
civil to the officers of foreign Powers, but, under the circumstances,
I would not rely upon this. The possibility of being drumhead
court-martialled and shot might not be remote. Luckily, not even
Roentgen rays could discover what a store of drawings, charts, and
fortress plans I keep in my memory. But you have not answered my
question yet, comrade!--are you prepared to start to-day?"

"I am sorry, but I must ask you not to count upon me; I should prefer to
stay here for the present."

On noting the surprise of the Russian he continued: "You yourself said
just now that I, as a German, am in a less precarious position. Even if
I am recognised as an officer, it is hardly probable that I should
find myself in serious difficulties. At least, not here, where there is
nothing to spy into."

He did not betray that it was solely the thought of Mrs. Irwin that had
suddenly made him change his plans. And the Russian evidently did not