"Yes, he was both worshipped and feared. Before he went there, an orphan boy had been cheated out of his land by his guardian uncle, named Allodad Khan. A few years later the young man went to law in order to recover his property, but Allodad Khan, who was a rich powerful man, had bribed and threatened all the village, and none would give evidence against him. Nicholson heard of this, and guessed how matters stood. One morning, just after dawn, a villager, going out early, was spell-bound at seeing Nicholson's well-known white mare cropping the grass outside the village. He ran back and breathlessly told the news. All the inhabitants turned out to gaze, and someone quickly perceived Nicholson himself tied to a tree close by. Their first thought was to run away, but a few plucked up sufficient spirit to go tremblingly to the commissioner's aid. In terrible wrath Nicholson asked who had dared to treat him like this. They bowed before him, but so terrified were they that no one could answer. 'Whose land is this, then?' he demanded. 'The owner of the land is responsible.' The villagers pointed to Allodad Khan, who fell on his knees, declaring, 'No, no, sahib, the land is my nephew's. He is responsible for the outrage.' Nicholson sternly made him swear to this before the whole village, and then the ruffian saw that he'd been made a fool of. So the nephew got possession of the estate and money, and Allodad Khan, finding the village too warm for him, went on a pilgrimage to Mecca." "He must be a wonderful man," Alec murmured half to himself. "I wish he'd come to Delhi." "He will," said Claude Boldre. "He as good as told me so when he sent me off with the Flamingoes." Ted was all impatience to impart his great news, but modesty forbade him while the strangers were present. The two visitors having inspected the defences of the famous mansion, and criticised most favourably the appearance of the Rifles, Guides, and Gurkhas, took their departure. "The general's told me that I'm to have the V.C., Alec," Ted whispered. "Honour bright?" Our ensign nodded. "Congratulations, old man,--and I think you deserved it. Ensign Russell, V.C.!... Splendid, Ted!" "What's that?" asked Jim, who had joined the group. "You're to have the V.C., young'un?" Ted then related what had passed, and Charlie Dorricot thumped him violently in the small of the back. "Well done, Ted!" he shouted excitedly. "I am glad; you deserve it, you cheeky little beggar!" Ted being called away for a moment, Jim gravely observed: "Well, I'm not so sure that I'm glad. He's having too much luck, and will be thinking no end of himself unless he's careful. Of course I'm very proud of him, but I'd have preferred him to win it a few years later." "Oh, Ted's all right!" Charlie assured him. "He won't be spoiled. He's a sterling sort of kid." At that moment the subject of the conversation returned, and a pause ensued before the elder brother spoke.