"Positively not!" said Brown.

"Then--'

"To seize a horse, for military use, under the spur of necessity,
and after giving a receipt for it, would be in order."

"So I am to spend the night wandering around the countryside, in a
vain endeavor to--"

But Brown was doing mathematics in his head. Two men to guard prisoners,
two on guard at the crossroads, two at the guardroom door--six from
twelve left six, and six were not enough to rape a countryside.

"Guard!" he ordered. "Release that prisoner. Now, you Stanley,
let this be a lesson to you, and remember that I only set you free
because I'd have been short-handed otherwise. Number One! Stand
guard between the clink and the guardroom door. Keep an eye on both.
The remainder--form two-deep. Right turn! By the left, quick-march!
Left wheel!..... Now," he said, turning to Juggut Khan, "if you'll
come along I'll soon get a horse for you!"

The Rajput strode along beside him, and gave him some additional
information as they went, Brown taking very good care all the time
to keep out of earshot of the men and to speak to Juggut Khan in low
tones. He learned, among other things, that Juggut Khan had lost
every anna that he owned, and had only escaped with his life by dint
of luck and swordship and most terrific riding.

"Are all of you Rajputs loyal?" asked Brown.