Heideck
good to find that Edith had a pleasant and well-trained alto voice. She
sang some melancholy English and Scotch songs.

"I have never sung since I left England," she said, greatly moved.

Heideck had listened to the music with rapture. After the fearful scenes
of recent times the melodies affected him so deeply that his eyes filled
with tears. It was not only the music that affected him, but Edith's
soul, which spoke through it.

"What are you thinking of doing, Mr. Kennedy?" he asked the old
gentleman. "Shall you remain in Simla and keep Mrs. Irwin with you?"

"I have thought it over," he replied. "I shall not stay here. I shall go
to Calcutta, if I can. It is my duty to be at my post there."

"But how do you intend to travel? The railways still in existence have
been seized for the exclusive use of the army. Remember that you would
have to pass both armies, the Russian and the English. You would have to
go from Kalka to Ambala, and thence to Delhi."

"If I could get a passport, I could travel post to Delhi, where I should
be with the English army. Can you get me a passport?"

"I will try. Possibly Prince Tchajawadse may be persuaded to let me have
one. I will point out to him that you are civilian officials."

. . . . . . .

Prince Tchajawadse most emphatically refused to make out the passport
for Mr. Kennedy and his family.

"I am very sorry, my friend," said he, "but it is simply impossible. The
Judge-Advocate-General is a very high official; I cannot allow him to go
to the English headquarters and give information as to what is going on
here. The authorities would justly put a very bad construction upon
such ill-timed amiability, and I should not like to obliterate the good
impression which the success of the expedition to Simla has made upon my
superiors by an unpardonable act of folly on my own part."

Heideck saw that any attempt at persuasion would be useless in the face
of the Prince's determination. He therefore acquainted Mr. Kennedy with
the failure of his efforts, at the same expressing his sincere regret.

"Then I shall try to return to England," said the old gentleman, with a
sigh. "Please ask the Prince if he has any objection to my making my way
by the shortest road to Karachi? Perhaps he will let me have a passport
for this route."

Prince Tchajawadse was quite ready to accede to this request.

"The ladies and gentlemen can travel where they please in the rear of
the Russian a