ouison.

"You are a--witch, woman! A wonder!" cried the astounded adventurer.

"Ah! You see that I have trusted you!" she smiled. "Now, do as I bid
you, and you will rise in the service! Remember! You are to do just what
I say! The bank here, or in Delhi, will give you always my directions.
Remember! I shall not lose sight of you for a moment, though near or
far! And money and promotion will reward your good faith! Go now! my
friend," she kindly said, extending her hand. "Bring the General, here,
tomorrow evening, at eight! I will be busied till then! There is nothing
for you to do now!"

The astonished schemer was in a maze as he dashed away to the Calcutta
Club to meet General Abercromby. "She is a very devil and a mistress of
the Black Art!" he mused. "I will stand by her," he admiringly cried,
"as long as it pays me." It was the honest tribute of a grateful
scoundrel's heart!

While the happy Abercromby dallied with Major Hawke over a claret cup,
an official messenger sought him out, at the Club. "There, my boy! You
see that I am a man of my word!" cried the would-be lover. Alan Hawke's
lip trembled as he tore open an envelope directed to him and marked: "On
Her Majesty's Service." The first in many years. The walls spun around
before his eyes when he read his provisional appointment, with an order
to report forthwith, to the Chief of Staff, for private instructions.
"Ah! I congratulate you, my boy!" heartily cried the happy General. "You
are a very devil for luck! One toast to the Viceroy! I'll meet you here
to-night!"

The happiest man in India sped away to his newly opened gate of Paradise
Regained, while afar in the sweltering September sun, the gleam of
rifles and red coats told of an armed escort on the train, bearing Major
Hardwicke and Captain Eric Murray, on to Calcutta, with the swiftness
of the wind. Neither of the officers for a moment quitted their
compartment, and two chosen sergeants, revolver in hand, watched
certain sealed packages lying beside them all there in plain view. Major
Hardwicke's soul was now in his quest!

There was a gleam of romance in the great Viceroy's morning duties,
while Major Hawke had hastened to the Chief of Staff's office.

Madame Berthe Louison, escorted by her guardian, the bank manager, had
placed upon the Viceroy's table a little document which he studied with
great care. "You are sure that there is no mistake?" the statesman said,
gravely interrogating the banke