"Right as a trivet, sir," Woodhouse answered promptly. "Of course we're anticipating some such move by the enemy--agents working in from Erythrea--holy war of a sort, perhaps, but I think our people have things well in hand." "And at Wady Halfa, your former commander----" The general hesitated. "Major Bronson-Webb, sir," Woodhouse was quick to supply, but not without a sharp glance at the older man. "Yes--yes; Bronson-Webb--knew him in Rangoon in the late nineties--mighty decent chap and a good executive. He's standing the sun, I warrant." Captain Woodhouse accepted the cigarette from the general's extended case. "No complaint from him at least, General Crandall. We all get pretty well baked at Wady, I take it." The governor laughed, and tapped a bell on his desk. Jaimihr Khan was instantly materialized between the double doors. "My orderly, Jaimihr," General Crandall ordered, and the doors were shut once more. The general stretched a hand across the desk. "Your papers, please, Captain. I'll receipt your order of transfer and you'll be a member of our garrison forthwith." Captain Woodhouse brought a thin sheaf of folded papers from his breast pocket and passed it to his superior. He kept his eyes steadily on the general's face as he scanned them. "C. G. Woodhouse--Chief Signal Officer--Ninth Grenadiers--Wady Halfa----" General Crandall conned the transfer aloud, running his eyes rapidly down the lines of the form. "Right. Now, Captain, when my orderly comes----" A subaltern entered and saluted. "This is Captain Woodhouse." General Crandall indicated Woodhouse, who had risen. "Kindly conduct him to Major Bishop, who will assign him to quarters. Captain Woodhouse, we--Lady Crandall and I--will expect you at Government House soon to make your bow over the teacup. One of Lady Crandall's inflexible rules for new recruits, you know. Good day, sir." Woodhouse, out in the free air again, drew in a long breath and braced back his shoulders. He accompanied the subaltern over the trails on the Rock to the quarters of Major Bishop, chief signal officer, under whom he was to be junior in command. But one regret marked his first visit to Government House--he had not caught even a glimpse of the little person calling herself Jane Gerson, buyer.