thinks you've stolen a march on him -'

'Bad luck to Bennett! He was sent to the Front instead o' me.
Doughty certified me medically unfit. I'll excommunicate Doughty if
he comes back alive! Surely Bennett ought to be content with -'

'Glory, leaving you the religion. Quite so! As a matter of fact I
don't think Bennett will mind. Put the blame on me. I - er -
strongly recommend sending the boy to St Xavier's. He can go down
on pass as a soldier's orphan, so the railway fare will be saved.
You can buy him an outfit from the Regimental subscription. The
Lodge will be saved the expense of his education, and that will put
the Lodge in a good temper. It's perfectly easy. I've got to go
down to Lucknow next week. I'll look after the boy on the way -
give him in charge of my servants, and so on.'

'You're a good man.'

'Not in the least. Don't make that mistake. The lama has sent us
money for a definite end. We can't very well return it. We shall
have to do as he says. Well, that's settled, isn't it? Shall we say
that, Tuesday next, you'll hand him over to me at the night train
south? That's only three days. He can't do much harm in three
days.'

'It's a weight off my mind, but - this thing here?' - he
waved the note of hand - 'I don't know Gobind Sahai: or his bank,
which may be a hole in a wall.'

'You've never been a subaltern in debt. I'll cash it if you