Here he smiled and added: "But I think the sahib will not be so discourteous as to refuse his slave's request. Speak quickly or thine ear goes!"

Tynan turned a few shades paler, but he bit his lip and answered not a word. Amazed at this unlooked-for defiance the subadar hesitated--and someone sprang in front of Tynan, a fist shot out and was stopped by the nose of the Mussulman, who toppled over, and was instantly disarmed by two sowars, who knelt upon the traitor's chest and mocked his cries of rage.

"It's all serene, Tynan, old chap!" cried the voice of Ted Russell.

"We're going to scrag that brute!"

He cut Tynan's bonds, whilst others trussed up the rebel, and I fear that no trouble was taken to spare him discomfort.

"It's all been a put-up job," Ted went on. "They collared me in the same way, meaning to test us by threats, to find out if either would betray the cipher. This is Lieutenant Kendal who's in command."

A short and rather "tubby" figure, arrayed in a rebel garb, came forward from the background and apologized for having been compelled to treat them roughly. He was obeying instructions, and assured them of his pleasure that neither had betrayed the trust.

"Yes, but you know everything now," said Tynan sullenly. "It was mean of you, Russell, to play this trick."

"I had no hand in it, Tynan, and was treated in much the same way an hour ago, except that they only threatened me with death, not torture; so you came out of the ordeal better than I, and I respect you for it."

"That's all very well. You come out with flying colours and I'm ruined.

I say, Lieutenant Kendal, let me clear away. I don't care what happens to me, but I simply can't face the fellows who knew me. Only let me go, and I'll disappear completely."

"Sorry I can't do that, Mr. Tynan, but I have orders to take you back before Sir John. By Jove, I'll say all I can for you, though, and though Jan Larens can be stern he's really kindness itself. Make a clean breast of it, youngster."

They rode back in silence, and the pretended rebels repaired to their comrades of the Sikh Cavalry to relate a marvellous story of the wisdom of Jan Larens, from whom nothing could remain hidden. The great statesman was still hard at work at his unending task, but when he heard the lieutenant's tale he bade him send Tynan in. He greeted the boy with mingled kindness and sadness.

"This is a pitiable tale, youngster," he said, "though you have done your best to redeem it to-night, I am told. Tell me all about it, and keep nothing back. Regard me as one who wishes to help you."

Tynan broke down under the prolonged strain, and, bursting into tears, sobbed like a child. Bit by bit the grim though kindly ruler drew forth the whole story of temptation, hesitation, and fall, of misery and of lie upon lie that had gradually sunk the boy deeper in the morass.

"Sit down," he said. "You have been punished. Are you sorry it has all come to light?"

"Indeed I am not, sir. I feel as though a great weight had been taken away. I suppose I shall be hounded from the service at least, sir."

"I hardly think you would wish to remain in the army?" said Sir John gravely.

"I want to get away from everyone, sir, and I know I don't deserve any consideration. But I never meant to do it, sir. He led me on, and got me in his power."

"You have been punished--and you may be thankful for it, my lad, for you will have a better chance of a happy useful life than had your claim proved successful. This evening you acted like a man, and I will take upon myself to accept your resignation."

"Thank you, sir!" said Tynan joyfully, for he had never expected this.

"Oh, thank you, sir! I will try to do better."

"You may set out again for Amritsar this night, and join Green's column at Umballa as a volunteer under an assumed name, if you can overtake them. I will give you credentials, and when the mutiny is crushed you may leave the country as you think best. My advice is to do your duty like a man as long as there is fighting to be done, and then return at once to England."

"Thank you, sir! I could wish for nothing better, and it's more than I deserve. I'll be a different man after this lesson. Indeed I will, sir."

"God help you to keep that resolution, my lad! Good-night!"

Breakfast was just over when the summons came for Ted. Sir John motioned him to take a seat.

"You have been thoroughly vindicated, Mr. Russell. Tynan has told me everything, and I congratulate you on having done your duty. You have suffered great anxiety and disappointment, but there is no doubt that you will obtain the reward you so highly deserve."

This virtual promise that the former recommendation would hold good, and that the Victoria Cross--most coveted of honours--would be his, dazzled our hero for a space. To Ted's credit be it said that his next thought was for poor Tynan.

"Thank you, sir! I--I hope Tynan won't be disgraced, sir. It was not altogether his fault."

"It will be necessary," said Sir John gravely, "to make public sufficient to clear your character. I have allowed him to resign, and he clears out to-night. I am glad, my lad, that you should have considered him."

"Wait a moment," said the ruler of the Punjab as Ted rose to go. "How would you like a commission in a corps of Irregular Horse?"

"Punjabis, sir?"

"Yes. Colonel Boldre, whose regiment has mutinied, is raising a corps in the Balandghar district, and he has written to ask me if you may join him. I think it would be a good thing, and should advise you to jump at the chance."

"Is there any likelihood of seeing active service with them, sir?"

The great statesman burst into one of his hearty laughs. He remembered the days when he was the age of Ted Russell--how he had longed to be a soldier like his father, who had led the forlorn hope at Seringapatam, or like his hero-brother Henry. The chuckles ceased, giving place to a sad smile as he thought of those past days. "A soldier I was born, and a soldier I will be!" he had declared as a lad, for all his family were soldiers. But the Lawrences were poor, and the civil service gave better remuneration than the military, and for his mother's and sisters' sakes John Lawrence had put aside the dream of his boyhood that he might earn enough to keep them from want. He knit his great brows and looked Ted up and down, and the boy did not know whether the grim administrator was pleased or displeased with him.

"So you have not smelt enough powder, eh?" he asked at length.

"I want to do my share, sir."

"Boldre's Horse are going to Cawnpore to join Sir Colin Campbell at once. The colonel will be setting out from Balandghar in a day or two, with perhaps a couple of hundred sowars, Sikhs, Pathans, and Punjabi Mohammedans. Mr. Jackson is raising a few score Sikhs and Dogras for him in the Jalandar district, and you are to set out at once to take charge of them, joining your commandant at Delhi."

"Thank you, sir! it's just what I should have chosen."

"Very good! but remember this. Do your duty with just as much thoroughness whether it seem attractive or the reverse. Should your fate tie you to duties of an uneventful nature, should you be out of the fighting and excitement, and have little chance of distinguishing yourself, remember that your work may be quite as necessary and useful, if not so showy. So, whatever you may be called upon to do, do it gladly. I will write to Jackson.---- Oh! I forgot--I am sending Colonel Boldre a couple of Sikh native officers for his regiment, tried men who have been proved and found faithful. They will go with you. They are good men; remember that. Good-day!"

Delighted with the turn of events Ted hastened to call upon the two Sikh officers. "Jim was right," he said to himself as he swung his leg over the saddle, "I am a lucky beggar. It's better being in a British regiment than in a poorbeah lot, but better still to be with Sikh and Pathan cavalry or Gurkha infantry, because Tommy has to be taken such care of, or he'll have sunstroke or cholera, or he'll wander away and get his throat cut, or else walk into an ambush. But these Cossacks of the Punjab are in at most of the fun, and they catch Pandy in snares instead of being caught by him."

Colonel Bratherton presented him to the two Sikhs. They were brothers, and in spite of a few years' difference in age, he could hardly tell one from the other. Each was dressed in white--no colour being more popular among the Sikhs--the snowy turbans setting off the triangle of dark face left visible, with piercing eyes, deep-set and determined, the well-shaped nose, tight mouth, and long beard and moustache twisted and turned upwards over the ears. They were tall and strong, with thin but sinewy legs--in fact, all that Sikhs should be.

Ted asked their names. Govind Singh was the elder, named after the last of the Sikh high-priests; Hira Singh the younger. He told them who he was, and that they must set out for Jalandar that night; and they looked him up and down with doubtful eyes, evidently not too favourably impressed by his youthful appearance. Ted found himself somewhat afraid of those eyes; they seemed to hold so much in reserve. But he felt that in a tight place he would be glad to be backed by men with eyes like theirs.

"When will you be ready?" he asked.

"Now," said Govind Singh.

"Then we set out after sundown."

"Very good, sahib! We go to Lucknow to help Henry Larens."

"But he is dead," Ted informed him.

Govind Singh shook his head.

"That is a poorbeah lie," said he. "As if those jackals of Oudh could kill the great chief!"

Astounded by the Sikh's incredulity, Ted asked if he had seen Sir Henry Lawrence.

"I? I knew him well, and so did Hira Singh, my brother. When the English fought the Afghans, nearly twenty years ago, we were at Peshawur in the Sikh army under Avitabile. The Sikh government had granted you Feringhis a passage through the Punjab, but we Sikh soldiers preferred our old enemies the Afghans, and we refused to fight on your side. We were ready to eat up your Khyber column in those days, and would have done it too, but for Henry Larens Sahib, who won our hearts, so that we fought for him, aye, even to Kabul. Then when we challenged you to war six years later and were beaten, he ruled the Punjab justly and with righteous dealing, as his brother does to-day. Jan Larens is a good and great man likewise, but Henry we loved most. We knew him well."