his mouth stiffened.

"They are medal ribbons--for campaigns," he answered.

"Three-four-five! Then, you were a soldier a long time? Did you--
did you desert your post when there was danger?"

He flushed, and raised his hand as though about to speak.

"Or did people insult you when you chose to remain on duty?"

"Miss-sahib, I have not insulted you!" said Mahommed Gunga. "I came
here for another purpose."

"You came, very kindly, to ask whether there were letters. Thank you,
Mahommed Gunga-sahib, for your courtesy. There are letters, and I will
give them to your man, if you will be good enough to send him for them."

He still stood there, staring at her with eyes that did not blink. He
was too much of a soldier to admit himself at a loss what to say, yet
he had no intention of leaving Howrah without saying it, for that, too,
would have been unsoldierly.

"The reason why your countrymen have found men of this land before now
to fight for them--one reason, at least--" he said gruffly, "is that
hitherto they have not meddled with our religions. It is not safe! It
would be better to come away, Miss-sahib."

"Would you like to say that to my father? He is--"