Ashton laughed and Harris exchanged a look with the other officer, a much older, weathered-looking man in the uniform of the East India Company.

‘Young bloods,’ Harris muttered in an exasperated tone. ‘Will they never grow up? Arthur, since you obviously know Ashton, let me introduce you to Lieutenant Colonel Barry Close - the real brains behind the staff work here in Madras. Close knows as much about the languages and customs of the natives as any white man in India and I’m damned lucky to have his services.’

Close nodded modestly and thrust out his hand. ‘Colonel, glad to meet you, sir.’

‘My pleasure.’

Harris backed away and turned towards the door. ‘Yes, well now that you’re introduced, Close can tell you what your responsibilities will be. I’ll leave you in his hands.’

‘Very good, sir.’

Once the door had shut behind the general, Close quickly scrutinised the new arrival before he continued. ‘Right then, you’re the wallah who is going to be in charge of organising the army’s siege train. I’ll have a desk brought in here for you, and arrange a few reliable orderlies and a secretary. Ashton there is dealing with the re-arming and training of our Company battalions and I’m responsible for food supplies and ammunition. If what I have heard about you is true, then I imagine you’ll be keen to get to work.’

‘Yes, I am.’

‘Oh, Arthur.’ Ashton winced.‘Surely you still have some of the rakish temperament about you that you were only too keen to display back in England? There will be some time for pleasure, you know.’

Close frowned. ‘Don’t listen to the young pup, Wellesley. The time for play is over. The threat from the Tipoo is very real.’

Arthur looked at the veteran and saw that the man was quite serious. He moved over to Close’s desk and pulled out a chair and sat down.‘I’d be grateful if you briefed me on my duties at once.’

Close grinned. ‘A man after my own heart.’

‘What a tragedy,’ said Ashton. ‘Already I have lost a friend and gained a drone.’

Arthur turned towards him. ‘I’ve read all the intelligence, Henry.There’s no avoiding a war with Tipoo.And if we lose, then you’ll have your tragedy for sure.’

Chapter 37

Chapter 37

While Arthur attended to his duties the 33rd Foot was sent forward to Wallajabad. Ashton’s regiment had already advanced to Arnee, much nearer to the border with Mysore. Both officers would re-join their commands when the preparations for war were complete. Meanwhile Arthur diligently attended to his duties by day and joined Ashton and the other officers at dinners and parties given by the limited social circle of Europeans in the city by night.