The Broken Road

Lynes. Cushions were placed upon the ground for his visitor. Luffe took his seat in the middle, with Dewes upon his right and Lynes upon his left. Dewes expected him at once to press for in

oubt your due," said Luffe politely, "you must remember

or smiled

ilti. "See how he trusts you! He sends me, his Diwan, his Minister of Finance, in the night time to com

point out that his Highness Wafadar Nazim was hardly taking the course w

res peace-peace so that this country may prosper, and

Luffe

lowers," the Diwan continued pensively. "I will not repeat what has been already said," and at once he began at interminable length to contradict his words. He repeated the proposals of

ahib's departure. But no blame will fall upon the Colonel Sahib. For the British Government, with whom Wafadar Nazim has always

d Wafadar, his uncle, merely the rebel. Therefore take back my last word to Wafadar Nazim. Let him make submission to me as repres

voice changed once more

in this fort, a prisoner of the British, whose willing slave he has always been. The British mus

d sternly a

they go never, but set their foot firmly

end. But the Diwan did not stir. He smiled pens

true it is that his Hig

Sahib's

n's visit was only now to be revealed. All that had gone before was nothing. The polite accusations, the wordy repetitions, the expressions of good will-these were the mere preliminaries, the long salute

wing well that this violent act will raise up a prejudice against him and his Highness. Moreover, he too would live in friendship with the British. But his soldiers are justly provoked by the violation of treaties by the Bri

ighten him and to discourage the garrison. On the other hand, it was likely enough to

occurred," he said, smiling gr

not bring Sahib Linforth to life again. Therefore hear the words of Wafadar Nazim, spoken now for the last time. He himself will escort you and your soldiers and officers to the borders of Brit

to Mir Ali, whom we ha

melancholy smile. His gesture and his attitude suggested that it was not in the

hat we will teach Abdulla Mahommed a lesson in that respect before many moons have passed,

n nodded

that you would

tch upon a leather watch-guard, a letter-case, and to these he

r in it, written in a woman's handwriting, and besides the letter the portrait of a girl

it was one of those faces which might become beautiful at many moments through the spirit of the woman, rather

she is," he sa

ssly. He was immersed in the second le

it?" ask

rth's

the photograph again, he said in a low voice

said Luffe, and he wen

ware of them. Men figured in his thoughts as the instruments of policy; their womenfolk as so many hindrances or aids to the fulfilment of their allotted tasks. Thus Linforth's death troubled him greatly, since Linforth was greatly concerned in one great undertaking. Moreover, the scheme had been ve

ould more easily have spared. Of course the thing will go on. That's certain," he said, nod

e. There was this difference, however. Luffe was thinking of "the Thing"; Dewes was pondering on the grim little tragedy which these letters revealed, and thank

r Dewes had a feeling that his own, however respectfully, violated their sanctity. The second letter was an unfinished one written by the husband to the wife from his tent amongst the rabble of Abdulla Mahommed. Linforth clearly understood that this was the last letter he would write. "I am sitting writing this by the light of a candle. The tent door is

he letter was completed. There was

boy's school, and continued: "Whether he will come out here it is too early to think about. But the road will not be finished-and I wonder. If he want

d upon his hands, his eyes heavy with sleep, while from w

t happen?"

," replied the Diwan, "dragged h

d and turne

home to his wife. It's hard on her

noticed that. I wonder how far the road will have gone when he comes out." There was n

s of this fort and march down to British terr

but the British were, of course, all mad. He bowed himself

ffe. "He would hardly have given us that unfinished l

ad what was writ

r what was writte

k of a rifle. The sound came from across the river.