The Sabre's Edge

But that is a judgement, and I of course respect yours.'

'That's gratifying at least,' replied Joynson, polishing and frowning. 'And I've settled on Deedes for RSM, though I expect I'll live to regret it.'

Hervey sighed.

'You would have jumped both and taken Hairsine.'

'Yes. That way, at least, you'd be assured of a good RSM. The other consequences you would just have to deal with.'

'Don't imagine I didn't think hard on that solution, but with things as they are I am certain it is better to have as few causes for immediate discord as possible. Incidentally, I have asked Sledge to conduct an enquiry into the Barrow business. I don't regard the matter closed with the universal supposition of his guilt.'

Hervey was surprised. He smiled and nodded.

'I'm glad you're pleased, for I've unwelcome news for you. Assheton-Smith shall have B Troop. I should very much like Vanneck to replace him.'

Hervey's face fell. 'Not Vanneck, not now. Not with that idiot boy as my cornet!'

'I have first to think of the regiment, and Vanneck would make the better adjutant than any other.'

Hervey cast about for the obvious alternative, but soon realized that Joynson's assertion was unchallengeable. 'Shall there be a replacement for Vanneck? I really can't—'

'Assheton-Smith's lieutenancy will be for the buying. I imagine Perry will have it.'

Hervey sighed again. Perry had the makings, for sure, but he'd seen nothing more than a couple of seasons' drill.

'I haven't finished, Hervey. Though this should not be unwelcome news. I want you to take your troop to Dehli for a month or so.'

Hervey was indeed brightened. 'Dehli? Why?'

'This morning I received word from the brigadier that a troop was to be sent within the week as escort to the resident. I have no other details of the assignment as yet.'

'It is by no means unwelcome news - not at all. Though it would be a deal more welcome if I had Vanneck with me and not Green. But are you sure you would not want me to be here ... in the circumstances?'

'I should prefer that Skinner's Horse did the Dehli duty, but the Governor-General was apparently quite explicit on the matter - King's troops. On the whole I think it right that it should be you. It would seem strange otherwise. You are next senior to Strickland, and his leave is more overdue than anyone's.'

It was true. Not even Strickland could be expected to give up home leave for a month in Dehli. 'Then I suppose I had better make ready at once. Am I at liberty to speak to the engineer?'

'I see no reason why not.'

'Is that all, sir?'

'Yes, Hervey. That is all. Unless . . .' 'Unless what?'

'Would you dine with us this evening?'

'Of course, Joynson. I should be delighted.'

There was even more satisfaction in the major's smile, however (and, had Hervey known it, relief). 'Shall we say seven?'

Hervey nodded, replaced his cap, and took his leave.

There were any number of things he would rather do, especially with only a few nights remaining in Calcutta, for he knew perfectly well why he was bidden to the major's table. But how he might be expected to exert any benign influence in Frances Joynson's direction he could not think. Regimental duty was a queer thing at times.

Only later did Hervey realize that in going at once to Dehli he would miss the RSM's wedding, and it displeased him. It was not just that it was already being spoken of as the best tamasha in Bengal, undoubtedly to be the most notable event in the living memory of the Serjeants' mess, rather it was an instinct that he should just be there. He decided at once that he would leave Armstrong behind until after the nuptials, for to do otherwise would have been a deprivation to both his serjeant-major and the RSM - and, indeed, to Caithlin Armstrong, for Lincoln had become a regular guest at their table since their return to the regiment. Armstrong greeted the news exactly like a serjeant-major who knew where his duty lay. 'An' it'll do Collins the power of good to wear a fourth stripe for a while,' he added for good measure.

Myles Vanneck was not so pleased. He had no desire to leave the nominal administrative duties of troop- lieutenant for the weighty ones of adjutant, and he certainly had no need of the modest increase in pay. The adjutant of a cavalry regiment, by long custom, came from the ranks. Often he came from another regiment, as Barrow had done. Assheton-Smith had been the first gentleman-adjutant, as his fellows had soon dubbed him in mock reference to the hyphen in his name (the first not counting Dauntsey, that is, which none of the officers did). The trouble was, he had done so fine a job that it was natural for Joynson to wish to replace him with another of his like. And indeed, Joynson also held the novel notion that an officer might be the better troop-captain - and ultimately even colonel - for having seen the workings of the orderly room. Come what may, all Vanneck's protests were to no avail. By the end of the morning he had handed the various ledgers to Cornet Arthur Perry and taken his seat in regimental headquarters.

Meanwhile, Hervey had been at the garrison engineer's searching for the requisite maps and dak instructions. As the crow flew, Dehli lay in excess of seven hundred miles, and by the dak route nearly eight. With the marching norm for cavalry being twelve leagues a day, it would be a journey of three weeks, and an occasion for sport and other pleasant diversions which could scarcely have come at a better time. He was half disappointed, therefore, when that evening at dinner Joynson declared it his opinion that he should stay for the wedding. 'Give Perry his head a bit,' said the major, with unusual zest. 'They get precious little chance otherwise. You and Armstrong'll be able to catch 'em up in a few days. You should both be there.'

Joynson's dispensation gave Hervey much cause for pleasure, but it was only next day that he began to learn of the import of his mission. He rode over to the Somerviles in the middle of the afternoon for just that purpose, feeling sure that he would learn more useful intelligence there than the commander-in-chief's office was likely to divulge.

Emma was not at home, but her husband was, and deeply engrossed in his book room having come immediately from the council's luncheon table (only the writers and junior officials returned to their offices of an afternoon). He looked up absently as the khansamah announced his visitor. 'Oh, Hervey: you are come very early today. Is there another to-do?^’

'Not at all. I^’m for Dehli with my troop for a month or so.^’

Somervile was transformed in an instant, at once all attention. 'Indeed! I had notice yesterday that Ochterlony had asked for an escort, but I hadn't supposed a decision would be reached so quickly. Indeed I'm surprised: Ochterlony doesn't enjoy the confidence he used to have. Sit you down. Tea, sherbet? Ghulam!'

'Tea, thank you. And some limewater if you have it.'

Ji, sahib?'

^‘Bhat, nimbu pani, Ghulam.’

^‘ Ji, sahib.^’

'That is the reason I came here, to discover what I could about the assignment. Joynson knows nothing yet.'

'Sit down, sit down,' Somervile insisted, even more attentive. 'There's trouble brewing in that direction.'

Hervey's ears pricked up. He had not supposed the escort wholly ceremonial, but . . .

'Ochterlony's an old man - 'Loony Ochter' they're calling him, and not entirely in affection. You must have heard?'

'No, I have not. I know of him of course - everybody does.' There could be no one who needed reminding of his reputation - Major-General Sir David Ochterlony, victor of the Ghoorka war a decade ago.

'Ay, well, he's an old man, as I said. I think Amherst believes him a fool. But I'll say this too: he's one of the few men with any true understanding of the country. He knows when to fight and when to parley. And how to fight, for that matter - but that's not my principal concern.'