t
could only redound to the advantage of the German officer if he joined
his Russian comrade, who would be in a position to procure him valuable
introductions when once on Russian territory.

When Heideck woke early the next morning the Prince's potent bowl of
the evening before made itself perceptible in various disagreeable after
effects; but the cold bath that Morar Gopal got ready for him, added to
a cup of tea, put him on his legs again.

It was an Indian morning of dazzling beauty into which he stepped.
February in the Indus Valley in 29 degrees longitude has a temperature
like that of May in Rome. In the hours of midday the thermometer usually
rises to 100 degrees Fahr.; but the evenings are refreshingly cool, and
the nights, with their damp fogs, even appreciably chilly.

Heideck made his toilet on this morning with special care, for he had
been invited to a conference with the Minister of the Maharajah, in
order to negotiate with him about some indigo business.

The Minister lived in a house on the outskirts of the town. It was a
one-story building, with broad airy verandahs, situate in the middle of
a large garden. When Heideck arrived, the staircase of the entrance hall
was occupied by a crowd of divers people waiting to be received. But he,
as a representative of the white race, was saved the tiresome annoyance
of waiting his turn. The porter, dressed in white muslin, and adorned,
as a sign of his office, with a broad red scarf, conducted him at once
into the Minister's study, a room furnished in European style.

It was only in his outward appearance, namely, his colour and his
features, that the Minister looked like an Indian. Both dress and
manners were those of a Western diplomatist. Giving Heideck his hand,
he told him that His Highness himself wished to negotiate with him about
the indigo business.

"The price you intend to pay is exceedingly low," he whispered in a tone
of disapproval.

Heideck was evidently prepared for this objection.

"Your Excellency may be right in saying that the price offered is lower
than in former years; but it is still very high, if the changes which
have since occurred in the market values are taken into consideration.
In Germany a substitute has been found in aniline, which is so cheap
that within a measurable distance of time no indigo whatever will be
bought. If I may be permitted to give His Highness any advice, I would
recommend him in the future to establish a