And soon this Captain Woodhouse was to come to his trial--the purpose of his invitation to tea that afternoon flashed clear as white light. Soon she would be in the same room with him; would be forced to witness the spinning of the web set to trap him. He would come unwarned, unsuspecting. He might leave that room under guard and with guns at his back--guns soon to be leveled at his heart. Yet she, Jane Gerson, possessed the power to save him--as the warning of the cigarette surely would be saving, once a clever man were put on his guard by it. Would she speak--and betray General Crandall, her kindly host? Would she lock her lips and see a man walk blindfolded to his death? A few minutes before five o'clock, Major Bishop was announced at Government House and received by General Crandall in the library. Before Jaimihr Khan, who had preceded the visitor through the double doors from the hall, could retire, his master stopped him. "One minute, Jaimihr! Have a seat, Bishop; glad you've come a bit early. Come here, Jaimihr!" The tall reedlike figure of the Indian glided to General Crandall's side. His thin ascetic features were set in their usual mold of unseeing detachment; only his dark eyes showed animation. "Yes, my General," he said, as he stopped before the Englishman. "I have a little commission for you, Jaimihr," General Crandall began, weighing his words with care. "The utmost discretion--you understand?" "The utmost. I understand." Jaimihr Khan's lips moved ever so slightly, and his eyes looked steadily ahead. "In the course of a few minutes, Captain Woodhouse, of the signal service, will be here to tea," the general began. The Indian repeated mechanically: "Cap-tain Wood-house." "As soon as you have ushered him into this room, you will go as quickly as you can to the West Barracks. His room will be No. 36, on the second gallery. You will enter his room with a key I shall give you and search it from end to end--everything in it. Anything that is of a suspicious nature--you understand, Jaimihr, what that might be--you will bring here to me at once." "It shall be done, General Sahib." "No one, officer or man, must suspect your errand. No one must see you enter or leave that room." "No one," the Indian repeated. General Crandall went to a wall safe set by the side of the double doors, turned the combination, and opened it. He took from a drawer therein a bunch of keys, selected one, and passed it to Jaimihr Khan. "The utmost care, remember!" he warned again. "Is it likely I should fail you this time, General Sahib, when so many times I have succeeded?" "Make the search complete." General Crandall ignored his servant's question. "But return as quickly as you can. I shall keep Captain Woodhouse here until you do so. You must report to me before he leaves this house." "When the moment arrives, your servant shall fly, General Sahib," the Indian replied, and withdrew.