I.--GREATER THAN DEATH
II.--THE LAMP
III.--TESSA'S MOTHER
IV.--THE BROAD ROAD
V.--THE DARK NIGHT
VI.--THE FIRST GLIMMER
VII.--THE FIRST VICTIM
VIII.--THE FIERY VORTEX
IX.--THE DESERT OF ASHES
X.--THE ANGEL
XI.--THE DAWN
XII.--THE BLUE JAY




PART I

CHAPTER I

BEGGAR'S CHOICE


A great roar of British voices pierced the jewelled curtain of the
Indian night. A toast with musical honours was being drunk in the
sweltering dining-room of the officers' mess. The enthusiastic hubbub
spread far, for every door and window was flung wide. Though the season
was yet in its infancy, the heat was intense. Markestan had the
reputation in the Indian Army for being one of the hottest corners in