Land of Hope and Glory by Geoffrey Wilson Read Free Book Online Page B

silence. No one knew how to react to a native beating an officer. But Jhala stood, raised William’s arm, and pronounced him the winner. He did it so quickly and graciously that it seemed the most natural thing in the world and everyone cheered and stamped their feet. Jhala actually grew in stature, despite being beaten.
    ‘Brave man, wrestling an officer like that,’ Jhala said. ‘That’s what makes it all the harder.’ He looked down, lost for words for a moment, then looked up at the bright sky, squinting a little. ‘You see, Merton’s mutinied. He’s gone over.’
    Jack sat up straighter. He hadn’t seen William since leaving the army. They’d written a few letters but had lost touch. What could have driven his friend to become a rebel? What madness?
    ‘Hard to believe, isn’t it?’ Jhala said.
    ‘It is.’
    ‘After all that time. He’d made it to sergeant major too.’
    ‘I can’t understand it.’ Sergeant major was the highest rank a European could reach.
    ‘He wasn’t with our regiment any more. He’d gone to the 8th a few years back. One of those reshuffles, you know how it is. I’d like to think that if he was still serving with me . . . well, who knows? Who knows anything any more?’
    They all went silent. Jack felt uncomfortably hot in the gazebo. The smell of jasmine was suffocating.
    ‘Anyway, you may have heard of the “Ghost”,’ Jhala said. ‘That’s what they’re calling Merton now. He’s leading a group of bandits up in North Dorsetshire.’
    ‘I’ve heard about it. But I didn’t know . . .’
    ‘No, not many people know his real identity. The locals are superstitious. They call him all sorts of names. The thing is, he’s causing us quite a bit of difficulty. By all accounts he only has a small band of followers – mostly mutineers – but they’ve proved a menace, hitting the sattva links, train lines, that sort of thing. We’ve sent in troops, tried hunting him down with trackers and dogs, but he’s always managed to slip away. You remember what he’s like – his power.’
    Jack nodded. William was a native siddha too, another of Jhala’s protégés. His power enabled him to conceal his tracks, making him almost impossible to follow.
    ‘Well, we’ve tried everything,’ Jhala said. ‘And we still can’t get him. That is, of course, where you come in.’
    ‘I see . . . I’m shocked about what’s happened with Merton. But still, I can’t hunt down an old friend. You understand, he saved my life.’
    Jhala gazed out at the gardens. ‘Yes. Mine too, if you remember. But that’s not the point. We all know that in the army you obey orders, no matter what. It’s what you sign up to. To mutiny is the greatest dishonour.’
    ‘Yes. You’re right. It’s just . . . sir, as I said before I can’t go back into the army. Perhaps there’s another tracker . . .’
    ‘I’m afraid not – not with your skill. You’re the best in England, without a doubt.’
    ‘This is ridiculous,’ Sengar snapped at Jhala. ‘We’re wasting time, sir.’
    ‘Captain Sengar,’ Jhala said without turning, ‘you will hold your tongue.’
    Sengar glared back for a second and then looked away. ‘Sorry, sir.’
    Jhala stared at Jack. He appeared tired, as if the whole mutiny had been his fault. ‘There is one further . . . factor in all this.’ He took a deep breath. ‘Your daughter, Elizabeth Casey.’
    ‘Elizabeth?’ Jack sat forward.
    ‘Yes, I’m sorry to tell you she’s gone over to the rebels as well. She’s been helping them – spying, giving them supplies—’
    ‘No, sir. Elizabeth would never do that.’
    ‘I’m afraid it’s true. She was caught red-handed. There’s no doubt.’
    Jack’s hand trembled. His heart raced. Elizabeth? A rebel? ‘Where is she?’
    ‘We’re holding her in the barracks. We’ve got a few of them.’
    ‘Can I see her?’
    ‘Of course. We’ll take you there . . . in a few minutes. First, you need to