Kim Page #4

of bloodshed and plunder.

- Salaam, sahib.

- Chunder.

I hardly recognized you in that beard.

It is easy to disguise the face, sahib,

but with me, the real difficulty is here.

- There is much trouble coming, sahib.

- Yes.

All reports indicate attacks from the north.

Here is my report, sahib.

Lurgan.

I'm delighted to see you, but what

are you doing so far away from your post?

There are times when one is afraid

to trust a third person...

or even a cohort.

But for the belly,

I'd never have recognized you.

There's real trouble, Colonel.

No roving bands of hillmen this time...

but a well-organized, full-scale attack.

Yes.

Even Simla's crawling with their spies.

Looks like history is repeating itself.

Russian influence again advances

like a tide throughout Central Asia.

Another Afghan war.

The Czar is once more sending arms

and supplies across this border...

as they did in 1878.

His agents and staff officers

are in Afghanistan.

They are organizing the hillmen

for a sweep through the Khyber Pass...

down into the plains of India.

Well, the pattern's very clear.

The vital question is

when and where they'll strike.

I sent the Red Beard north

to get that information.

I should've heard from him. I'm afraid...

Well, don't worry

about Mahbub Ali, Colonel.

He bears a charmed life.

You will resume your disguise as the

cab driver at Lucknow railway station...

and observe all Europeans

coming from the north by train.

Yes, sahib.

I wish you both a jolly good day.

Now, give me your report.

The General is dining with me tonight,

and he'll want to see this.

Thank you.

Be sure the Commander sahib's curry

is the way he likes it. Very hot.

Yes, sahib.

O protector of the poor.

The pedigree of the white stallion

is fully established.

What proof have you?

The Red Beard has given me this proof.

Perhaps another coin for my holy man

who awaits with an empty belly.

- Good evening, sir.

- Good evening.

- How are you, sir?

- Hungry, I could eat a horse.

I have one cooking for you, sir.

It may be a little indigestible.

A white stallion from Lahore.

Come into the map room, sir.

- Peters, help yourself to a peg.

- Thank you, sir.

The white stallion message came through.

They'll strike from these five points.

With my lancers, the artillery

and the mavericks...

we'll have 8,000 men in the field

if we force-march.

This means war.

My compliments to Colonel Stevenson.

He's to report here at once.

Yes, sir.

Colonel Stevenson.

Rest you.

I go beget our evening meal.

I beg for a very holy man,

and he is also very hungry.

Today is not a fast day.

- A little meat, perhaps, and fried rice.

- Begone.

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