It was Hanani, the veiled _ayah_, who stooped to kindle the lamp.... CHAPTER XI THE DAWN "This country is like an infernal machine," said Bernard. "You never know when it's going to explode. There's only one reliable thing in it, and that's Peter." He turned his bandaged head in the latter's direction, and received a tender, indulgent smile in answer. Peter loved the big blue-eyed _sahib_ with the same love which he had for the children of the _sahib-log_. "Whatever happens," Bernard continued, "there's always Peter. He keeps the whole show going, and is never absent when wanted. In fact, I begin to think that India wouldn't be India without him." "A very handsome compliment," said Sir Reginald. "It is, isn't it?" smiled Bernard. "I have a vast respect for him--a quite unbounded respect. He is the greatest greaser of wheels I have ever met. Help yourself, sir, won't you? I am sorry I can't join you, but Major Ralston insists that I must walk circumspectly, being on his sick list. I really don't know why my skull was not cracked. He declares it ought to have been and even seems inclined to be rather disgusted with me because it wasn't." "You had a very lucky escape," said Sir Reginald. "Allow me to congratulate you!" "And a very enjoyable scrap," said Bernard, with kindling eyes. "Thanks! I wouldn't have missed it for the world,--the damn' dirty blackguards!" "Was Mrs. Monck much upset?" asked Sir Reginald. "I have never yet had the pleasure of meeting her." "She was more upset on my brother's account than her own," Bernard said, giving his visitor a shrewd look. "She thought he had come to harm." "Ah!" said Sir Reginald, and held his glass up to the light. "And that was not so?" "No," said Bernard, and closed his lips. There was a distinct pause before Sir Reginald's eyes left his glass and came down to him. They held a faint whimsical smile. "We owe your brother a good deal," he said. "Do we?" said Bernard. Sir Reginald's smile became more pronounced. "I have been told that it is entirely owing to him--his forethought, secrecy, and intimate knowledge obtained at considerable personal risk--that this business was not of a far more serious nature. I was of course in constant communication with Colonel Mansfield. We knew exactly where the danger lay, and we were prepared for all emergencies." "Except the one which actually rose," suggested Bernard. "That?" said Sir Reginald. "That was a mere flash in the pan. But we were prepared even for that. My men were all in Markestan by daybreak, thanks to the promptitude of young Denvers." "If all our throats had been slit the previous night, that wouldn't have helped us much," Bernard pointed out. Sir Reginald broke into a laugh. "Well, dash it, man! We did our best. And anyway they weren't, so you haven't much cause for complaint." "You see, I was one of the casualties," explained Bernard. "That accounts for my being a bit critical. So you expected something worse than this?"