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enough support to the Khanates and small towns lying to the North – in consequence they were forced to capitulate far too readily to the Cossacks.
    The Viceroy listened intently to every word.  Only occasionally did he interrupt to ask an intelligent question.
    David talked on, until he finished with the battle at Fort Tibbee.
    He told the Viceroy that only two British soldiers had been slightly wounded whilst the enemy dead must, he thought, be little short of a thousand.
    â€œI can only add my gratitude, Captain, to those who have already thanked you.  I find it amazing that you were clever enough to understand that Tibbee was in danger and managed to reach there in time to prevent what could quite easily have been a massacre.”
    â€œIt was a long walk, Your Excellency, which I do not wish to make again, but I think it is important that the Forts on the North-West Frontier should be strengthened and their garrison augmented.”
    â€œI agree with you and it is a priority I will discuss with those in command immediately.”
    David thought that his audience was at an end and he was expecting to rise to his feet when the Viceroy said,
    â€œAnd now Captain, I have news for you which I am afraid you will find rather upsetting.”
    David looked at him in surprise.
    â€œ News , Your Excellency?”
    â€œA cable has come through from England.  As you were away it was brought to me, but it was impossible for anyone to be in touch with you, as we had no idea where you were.  You are therefore receiving it now, nearly three weeks after it was originally despatched.”
    David was wondering what the cable could possibly contain.
    The Viceroy handed it to him and he saw that it was addressed to him at Regimental Headquarters.
    He was surprised that they should have bothered the Viceroy with his cable.
    Then he read,
    â€œ Deepest regrets to have to inform you that your grandfather, the Marquis of Inglestone and his heir, the Viscount Stone, were killed yesterday when the carriage carrying them over the bridge in the Park lost a wheel.
    Their Lordships were thrown into the stream, which was in spate and, as they fell, their heads crashed into the bridge’s brick piers and they were knocked unconscious.
    It was impossible to save either of them before they were drowned.
    The funeral will take place on Saturday and, as you are next of kin to your grandfather, you inherit his title and Ingle Hall and we await your Lordship’s instructions.
    Yours faithfully
    Turnbull, Downside and Mellow. ”
    David read it through with astonishment, realising from the signature at the end that the cable was from his grandfather’s Solicitors.
    Then the Viceroy added sympathetically,
    â€œI am sorry, Ingle, that this should have happened to spoil what should be your most glorious hour, although, of course, it has to be kept secret.”
    â€œWhatever can I do now?” asked David, speaking almost more to himself than to the Viceroy.
    â€œI am afraid that you will have to go home.  We will miss you, but in the circumstances it must be a wise course to take.  If the Russians by some means get to know that you are responsible for their disaster at Fort Tibbee, you would be safer, to say the least of it, well out of India.”
    â€œBut I have no wish to go, Your Excellency, I want to stay with the Regiment – ”
    â€œAnd, of course,” added the Viceroy, “in The Great Game .  But as I have already said, I think at the moment it would be extremely dangerous for you.”
    David recognised that he was talking sensibly, but at the same time he was finding it hard to believe that his life in India had unexpectedly come to such an abrupt end.
    As if he could divine David’s thoughts, the Viceroy advised,
    â€œCaptain, you are now, I understand, the Marquis of Inglestone.  It will undoubtedly mean many problems for you to solve and a great many people who