‘One apiece, I mean.’ He knew Johnson would have a bag of hard-boiled eggs strung on the bat horse.

‘An egg apiece, Colonel … Come this way, if you please, Corporal Boyle,’ he said, in his best imitation of a butler.

Parry was still looking quizzical as Hervey caught his eye. ‘War’s a grim business, Robert, but it needn’t be solemn.’

It was nearing eleven when Worsley came. It had been daylight for almost four hours – time enough and more to cover the distance, but not when the insurgents held the road so completely as they appeared to do. For by now, Hervey had had a full report from the northern squadron via the Thirteenth’s major. They’d got within three or four miles of Chintalpore – by their reckoning – and then found the road stockaded. Even trying to outflank it had brought casualties, as the palisading extended well to the north and south and was strongly garrisoned. The forest beyond wasn’t easy either, with much undergrowth, the major had said, and Colonel Craigie, the brigadier, was bringing up the heavier guns, intending to probe a while with fire.

‘Fairbrother’s as safe as may be,’ said Worsley, in answer to Hervey’s immediate question. ‘Or rather, he would be if he’d lie low. He’s with the hijdas, but he insists on going about with them.’

Hervey was relieved nevertheless.

Johnson brought a coffee pot and two enamelled mugs. Parry shook his head when offered a third.

‘Very well, Christopher,’ said Hervey, his immediate concern allayed. ‘Yours to report.’

‘General, it was approaching dusk by the time I’d made safe with the squadron – we kept in the forest; there was no chancing otherwise – so there was little I could see for myself, but I found Fairbrother easily enough after dark. He believes the insurgents are in some disarray, since they’ve not been able to take the palace – not all of it, that is. They have the bailey and the outworks, but not the palace itself, which the Ranee and her bodyguard hold, and a few guns.’

‘The old rajah fortified it for just such a contingency.’

‘But they’ve brought in a great many cannon and mounted them on the walls, and they’ve flooded the moat.’

‘That was only to be expected, the moat. How many pieces?’

‘Fairbrother said he hoped to discover that once it was daylight. He reckons it may be the major part of their artillery – about fifty. He says the Swiss haven’t been seen though, which didn’t surprise him, as Colonel Bell had never supposed they’d throw in willingly with the dewan.’

‘Carry on.’

‘He expects to be able to get inside the citadel by way of a communicating tunnel.’

‘Ah; I didn’t know of a tunnel. There again, there’s no reason I should have.’ He thought for a moment. ‘How strong do you reckon is the dewan – within the moat, I mean?’

‘Fairbrother said he estimated two thousand, for there wouldn’t be room for more, but they could be many fewer. He hopes to discover it this morning. For myself I can’t judge.’