dvance guard has already passed the Afghan frontier."

Heideck had difficulty in concealing the excitement, which this
confirmation of Tchajawadse's story aroused in him.

"Is that certain, Colonel? What do the Russians want in Afghanistan?"

"What do the Russians want there? Now, my dear Mr. Heideck, I think
that is plain enough. Their advance means war with us. Russia will, of
course, not openly allow this at present. They treat their advance as
a matter which only concerns the Emir and with which we have nothing to
do. But one must be very simple not to discern their real intentions."

"And may I ask, Colonel, what you are thinking of doing?"

Colonel Baird must really have held the young German for a very
trustworthy or, at least, for a very harmless personage, for he replied
to his question at once--

"The Russian advance guard has crossed the Amu Darya and is marching up
the Murghab Valley upon Herat. We shall take our measures accordingly.
The Muscovites will have been deceived in us. We are not, after all, so
patient and long-suffering as to let our dear neighbours slip in by the
open door. I think the Russian generals will pull long faces when they
suddenly find themselves confronted in Afghanistan by our battalions, by
our Sikhs and Gourkas."

The adjutant made his appearance with what was evidently an important
message, and as Heideck perceived that the Colonel wished to speak
privately to his orderly officer, he considered that politeness required
him to retire.

The words of the Colonel, "The Russian advance into Afghanistan means
war," rung unceasingly in his ears. He thanked his good fortune for
having brought him at the right moment to the theatre of the great
events in the world's history, and all his thoughts were now solely
directed as to the "where and how" of his being able, on the outbreak of
hostilities, to be present both as spectator and observer.

That his Russian friend was animated by the same desire he could all the
easier surmise, owing to the fact that Prince Tchajawadse belonged,
of course, to one of the nations immediately concerned. He hastened,
therefore, to acquaint him with the results of his interview with
Colonel Baird. The effect of his communications upon the Prince was
quite as he had anticipated.

"So, really! The advance guard is already across the Amu Darya. War
will, then, break out just in the proper quarter," exclaimed the Russian
in a loud outburst of joy. "In