But Major Hawke, an hour later, at his Club, was suddenly interrupted in a cozy breakfast by the most unceremonious entrance of Major Harry Hardwicke, whose promotion was at last gazetted.
"Hello! I see you're a Major now.

Lucky devil! What can I do for you, Hardwicke ?" cried Alan Hawke, eyeing the haggard and worn-looking young officer with a strange dawning suspicion of the truth.

"Did he know, too, of the Hegira ?" Major Hardwicke threw himself down in a chair, curtly saying: "You can tell me who effectuated this lightning disappearance act of Madame Delande and young Miss Johnstone." "You speak in riddles to me, Hardwicke," coolly said the wary Major.
"I've just come in from Allahabad with General Abercromby, who is here to settle old Johnstone's accounts.

I know nothing of what you refer to.
I expected to meet both the ladies at dinner to-day." "Then I will not uselessly take up your time, Major Hawke," gloomily rejoined Hardwicke, as he picked up his sword, and, with a cold formal bow, quitted the room.
"I must watch this young fool," growled Alan Hawke.

"Thank my lucky stars, the woman is far away! But, he's well connected, has a brilliant record, and is a V.C.now for Berthe Louison and the fireworks! But, first, old Ram Lal! They bowled the old boy out! I suppose that he has already told Alixe Delavigne that she has been outwitted.