"I'll drive Ethel home," said the colonel, "and come back presently with Sir Arthur, and we'll examine Dwarika Rai."
When the Woodburns had gone, Tynan returned to dine with Munro and Leigh. The colonel and the deputy-commissioner entered as the officers were smoking after their meal, and Dwarika Rai was sent for.
The Rajput entered the room, and in the act of saluting started back on beholding Tynan, who also gave a start and rose to his feet.
"Why!" he gasped, for no warning had been given him, "what is he doing here? I thought only Russell and I and Ambar Singh were saved."
Dwarika Rai still stood open-mouthed as though he had seen a ghost.
"He also was saved," explained the major. "Dwarika Rai, it is indeed Tynan Sahib."
"I am rejoiced to see him, for I thought he was dead," said the soldier simply.
"We wish to recall to your memory some of the events that took place in the fortress when you were attacked," Munro began. "Didst thou notice the part taken by Pir Baksh during the fighting? Was he a ringleader?"
"Indeed, sahib, I'm not sure. Russell Sahib and Ambar Singh considered him so, but I could not help thinking that he wished us well. He seemed to fire without aiming, and never hit anyone, and I verily believe that he wished to save our lives. But the others would not trust him, and perhaps they were right."
Munro and the colonel looked at one another.
"Your opinion, then, was that he had been forced to rebel?"
"I thought it might be so, Colonel Sahib; in fact, once after the firing had been hot, Bisesar Singh whispered to me that the heart of Pir Baksh was not in the affair. When I asked him why, he replied that the subadar had covered him with his musket, and then winked at him and fired high. Yet sometimes he appeared to lead the dogs; but perhaps that was to divert suspicion, perhaps he had to feign to be as faithless as themselves whenever they were watching him."
"That is probable enough," Sir Arthur whispered to his colleagues. "Under the circumstances I can quite understand a man doing that."
"Yes, so can I," the colonel agreed. "Ted and Ambar Singh might easily have been mistaken, and have misjudged him."
When Leigh had finished recording the evidence, Major Munro asked Tynan to retire for a few moments. He then questioned Dwarika Rai as to who laid the powder train.