Hervey inclined his head in a gesture of sympathy.

Somervile looked wistful suddenly. ‘I suppose not the juniors, for once the smell of canvas and smoky fires gets in their nostrils, and a horse got between the knees on a dewy morning, or a walk home in the darkness and rich scent of a regular native village … Well, then they’ll understand it’s impossible to think of the Hindoo in deprecatory terms. I have, perhaps, only a few months here still, but I intend to have the smell of canvas and dew and native village in my nostrils once more, else I can’t be sure of my own judgement in what we’re to be about.’

‘I understand, perfectly. But if you’re to go, how shall I be able to make my own reconnaissance?’

‘I don’t propose to interfere with that.’

‘My preoccupation will be your safety!’

‘Hervey, what do you suppose the Bodyguard is about?’

‘They would fight to the last man, I’m sure – like the Swiss Guard for the Pope. But I as the senior officer would not be at liberty to cede responsibility to them. You must see that.’

Somervile scowled. ‘Yes, of course I see that. I merely supposed you’d find a way.’

‘No,’ said Hervey, shaking his head determinedly; ‘I can’t. It would be different if we were invading. Besides, what are these things on which you seek assurance? Why can’t I answer for them? Why can’t the agent?’

‘The agent’s dead.’

‘Indeed? I’d not heard of it. How so?’

‘That, I don’t know either. The news isn’t abroad yet. It may not even have reached Fort William. It came to the collector at Guntoor yesterday, the exchange point for Calcutta. Seems he succumbed to a fever.’

‘And you suspect foul play?’

‘I don’t discount it.’

‘Mm. But it’s not, I submit, a matter requiring your personal attention.’

‘I can’t deny it.’

‘I must say, unhappy as is the agent’s death, it gives me more ostensible cause for visiting. And – how can I put this? – you didn’t find me wanting in political matters in Coorg.’

‘On the contrary.’

‘Then I fail to see how Chintal is in any way different. Except, perhaps, the close attention of Fort William.’

Somervile narrowed his eyes. ‘You think me fearful of Bentinck?’

‘Forgive me. I know you to fear no one. But I know you to have a nose for trouble, if I may put it crudely.’

Somervile took some time to reply. ‘There is, I concede, no compelling reason for my coming with you to Chintalpore. And also that to do so would place too great a burden on you, and to the detriment of your mission.’

‘Then may we discuss my exploration on that presumption?’

Somervile smiled at last. ‘We may.’

Hervey sighed with much relief. ‘I’d value your opinion. I’ve had no opportunity to consider things further than when we last spoke in Madras.’

‘Indeed, indeed,’ said Somervile brightly, suddenly his old self and reaching for his case of papers. ‘I ought to have said: here’s the composition of the field force. It is, I’m assured – indeed, I’ve proved that it is so myself – substantially as you requested. Bengal’s sending two battalions, as it’s best we keep some strength at Bangalore, in light of the uncertainty in Mysore – and, until time satisfies that it is otherwise, Coorg too.’