was determined that the women and children should, for the time being,
remain with the depot in Chanidigot. Captain Irwin, who had returned
from Lahore and who, apart from his duty, in which he displayed an
almost feverish zeal, led the life of a hermit, was appointed to
command this depot. But his wife, whom he had not yet once met since his
arrival, was not to be placed with the others under his charge. Colonel
Baird, who had given way to his wife's urgent entreaties to be allowed
with her children to accompany him to Quetta, had asked Edith Irwin to
join them.

Orders had been given that the detachment should start in conjunction
with the forces of the Maharajah of Chanidigot. Heideck had obtained
permission to accompany it. The Colonel was well disposed towards him,
and it was evidently pleasant for the former to have about him, as
protector to the ladies, such a chivalrous man, upon whom he could
always implicitly rely when his military duties prevented him from
looking after them. On the day preceding the start Heideck was at tiffin
with the Colonel, and coming events were being discussed in a serious
manner, when from outside the dull screech of an automobile's horn
caught their ears. Two minutes later, covered with dust and with his
face a dark red from the heat, an officer appeared on the verandah who
introduced himself as Captain Elliot, General Blood's adjutant.

"The General," he said, adopting the proper military attitude, "has sent
me to report that all the plans have been altered. Your orders are not
to march to Quetta, but to hasten your preparations and start as soon as
possible for Mooltan."

"And what is the reason for this change of orders?" asked the Colonel.