"Watch him closely, without letting him suspect it."

"Before I'd seriously consider orders to do that, they'd have to
come through military channels in the regular way," said Kirby,
without emotion.

"I could arrange that, of course. I'll mention it to Todhunter."

"And if the order reached me in the regular way, I'd resign rather
than carry it out."

"Um-m-m!" said the man in drab silk.

"Yes," said Kirby.

"You seem to forget that I, too, represent a government department,
and have the country's interests at heart. Do you imagine I have a
grudge against Ranjoor Singh?"

"I forget nothing of the kind," said Kirby, "and imagination doesn't
enter into it. I know Ranjoor Singh, and that's enough. If he's a
traitor, so am I. If he's not a loyal gallant officer, then I'm not
either. I'll stand or fall by his honor, for I know the man and you
don't."

"Uh!" said the man in drab silk.

"Yes," said Colonel Kirby.

"Look!" said one of the two men at the window. "Direct as a hornet's