But a grave-faced civilian public official, with Major Williamson, of the Viceroy’s general staff (a late arrival from Calcutta), ruled over the marble house in place of Major Alan Hawke “absent upon special duty.” Only Ram Lal knew of the real destination of the lucky man, who was only free from care when he had sailed from Bombay direct for Brindisi, on the fleet steamer Ramchunder. “I am safe now,” laughed Alan Hawke, who rejoiced in the easy tour of duty before him. “To repair to London and to report to Captain Anson Anstruther, A.D.C., for special duty.” Such were the Viceroy’s secret orders. It was General Willoughby who had absolutely invoked secrecy. “Wear a plain military undress, and you must avoid most men, and all women. Keep your mouth shut and you may find your provisional rank confirmed.” To Berthe Louison’s secret agents, the Grindlay Bank at Delhi, Major Hawke had delivered a sealed envelope. “Use this only at your sorest need. I will see Madame Louison probably before she has any orders for me, as to her private affairs.” When the envelope was opened the words “Major Alan Hawke, Hotel Faucon, Lausanne, Switzerland,” gave the only address which the adventurer dared to leave. And it was that which the cowering Ram Lal Singh copied when he brought to Alan Hawke the four sets of altered Bills of Exchange, and the Bank of England notes for the check of five thousand pounds. Major Hawke surveyed the skillfully raised Bills of Exchange and carefully examined them in a dark room with a light, and also before the glaring sun rays. “A splendid job, Ram Lal,” he gayly said. “You must have given them a coat of size and then moistened and ironed them.” The old rascal gloomily accepted the professional compliment. “I observe that you have labored to protect your own indorsement,” sportively remarked the Major. “And now you will return to me my jewels?” timidly demanded Ram Lal. “Do you wish me to send the dagger of Mirzah Shah to General Willoughby? It is deposited here, with a sealed letter,” coldly sneered Hawke. “Should anything happen to me or, to these drafts, it would be sent to the General, and you would hang. No, I will keep the jewels.” And then Major Hawke thrust the shivering wretch out, having liberally paid to him, through Grindlay, the balance due by Berthe Louison. “I swear that I did not get a single jewel from--from him. He has hidden them,” pleaded Ram Lal. “Ah! I must look to this” mused Hawke, when Ram Lal had been frightened away with a last stern injunction: “Obey my slightest wishes or you will hang! I will have you watched till I return! There are eyes upon your path that never close in sleep!” Ram Lal shuddered in silence.