0 miles from Simla, situated below Kalka. On the next morning the
column arrived before Simla and found that Jutogh, the high-lying
British cantonment to the west of the far-extended hill city, had been
evacuated.

Prince Tchajawadse quartered his infantry and artillery in the English
barracks, and marched with the horsemen into the crescent-shaped bazaar,
the town proper, surrounded by numerous villas, scattered over the hills
and in the midst of pleasure-gardens. He at once sent off patrols
of officers to the town hall, the offices of the Government and
Commander-in-Chief, while he himself made his way to Government House, a
beautiful palace on Observatory Hill.

Although it was spring, Simla still lay in its winter sleep. It had been
deserted by the lively, brilliant society which, when the intolerable,
moist heat of summer drove the Viceroy from Calcutta, enlivened the
magnificent valleys and heights with its horses and carriages, its
games, parties, and elegant dresses. Only the resident population, and
the servants who had been left to look after the buildings and keep them
in good order, remained, English Society being kept away by the war.

The hills were about a mile and three-quarters above the level of the
Indian Ocean, and frequent showers of rain made the climate so raw that
Heideck rode with his cloak on, and Edith flung a dragoon's long cloak
over her shoulders to protect herself against the cold.

The officers were commissioned to search the Government buildings for
important legal documents and papers, which the English Government might
have left behind in Simla, and which were of importance to the Russian
Government.

Heideck had to examine the seven handsome blocks of Government offices,
especially the buildings set apart for the Commander-in-Chief, the
Quartermaster-General, the general railway management, and the post and
telegraph offices.

He found none but subordinate officials anywhere until he came to the
office of the Judge Advocate General. Here he found a dignified
old gentleman, sitting so quietly in his armchair that Heideck was
involuntarily reminded of Archimedes when the Roman soldiers surprised
him at his calculations.

As the officer entered, accompanied by the soldiers, the old gentleman
looked at them keenly out of his large, yellowish eyes. But he neither
asked what they wanted, nor even attempted to prevent their entrance.
Heideck bowed politely, and apologised for the int