I am then safe! safe! No human hand can ever
touch me now," he gloated.
There was a clattering of aides-de-camp and great official bustle
at the Government House in Calcutta when General Abercromby reported
to the great statesman Viceroy, dwelling in the vast palace, builded
by the Marquis of Wellesley.
General Abercromby, marveling at the abruptness of the Viceroy, was
relieved to know that his "secret service" had been transferred to
Major Hardwicke under the orders of Major-General Willoughby. His
mind was intently occupied with the promised introduction to Madame
Berthe Louison--"that little party"--and so he failed not to refer
to the future value to the crown of Alan Hawke's services.
"He is here with me, Your Excellency!" respectfully said Abercromby,
who had already posted off his leporello to call in due form
at the banker's mansion, where the disguised Alixe Delavigne had
taken refuge. "Send him to me at once, General. I need him! I will
give him the local staff rank of Major and immediate employment.
Willoughby has also written to me especially about his wonderful
knowledge of our northern lines. Stay! Bring him yourself, to-morrow,
at ten o'clock."
"Splendid! Splendid!" cried the love-lorn General, rubbing his
hands, as he hastened away in his carriage to meet Alan Hawke! "I
am ready for him, if he is ready for me! I wish she were at some
one of the great hotels instead of being buried in the silver-gray
respectability of the Manager's family circle.
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