"There you see, that is what I get for my kindness!" he said indignantly. "It will be a lesson."
"Oh, forgive me, _do_ forgive me," I sobbed. "I couldn't help it." And then I leant against the wall and wept. I think this was almost the bitterest moment of my whole life. There was my brother, the image of despair, working out his sentence within those tall ugly walls, out off from everything he had ever cared for. I believe my tears somewhat appeased the superintendent.
"Don't take on, don't take on. Come away down to my room," he said, "and pull yourself together a bit."
As soon as we had reached this haven, he offered me a chair and sent for a glass of water, and when I was more composed he said:
"Of course I am, my brother looks as if he were dying."
"He looks badly, I grant you--they all do at first--I mean the Europeans. It isn't often we have them--not for years. A private was hanged ages ago, for shooting his comrade in the barrack room. I remember as if it was yesterday, the escort marching him up from cells just after daybreak one December morning, and the band playing the Dead March in 'Saul.'"
"This is only a second class jail," he resumed. "Serious cases are sent elsewhere. Your brother was moved down here for two reasons; the authorities did not wish to have him so near the regimental lines as Secunderabad jail. Every time a Tommy went by 'Windsor Castle' he would think 'One of our captains is lying in there.' Another thing, the Bangalore climate is less trying; we have no real hot weather, and of course there are no punkahs in jails. It's just a year ago since I saw Captain Lingard playing here in the polo tournament. There wasn't one to touch him! He seemed to have complete command of his ponies, and his strokes were a wonder. I little thought that his next visit to the station would be to _me_."
"No; who could have dreamt of such a thing? It all seems like a hideous nightmare."
"Look here, Miss Lingard, as far as I can I will help your brother, but to show partiality to one man because he is of my own race would upset all discipline, and lose me influence and authority. As it is, I have an unruly crowd to deal with; we've had more than one unpleasant outbreak. I believe there is one thing I can do for you--I will overstep my rules for once, and will give your brother a message."