I wonder whether he rode into a
trap. Who could this visitor have been whom he meets in the street of
Tewfikieh, and who must come so secretly to Wadi Halfa? What can have
been his business with Durrance? Important business, troublesome
business--so much is evident. And he did not come to transact it. Was
the whole thing a lure to which we have not the clue? Like Colonel
Dawson, I am afraid."
There was a silence after he had finished, which Major Walters was the
first to break. He offered no argument--he simply expressed again his
unalterable cheerfulness.
"I don't think Durrance has got scuppered," said he, as he rose from his
chair.
"I know what I shall do," said the colonel. "I shall send out a strong
search party in the morning."
And the next morning, as they sat at breakfast on the verandah, he at
once proceeded to describe the force which he meant to despatch. Major
Walters, too, it seemed, in spite of his hopeful prophecies, had
pondered during the night over Calder's story, and he leaned across the
table to Calder.
"Did you never inquire whom Durrance talked with at Tewfikieh on that
night?" he asked.
"I did, and there's a point that puzzles me," said Calder.
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