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moment.”
    David reached the door and pulled it open as Stella caught hold of his arm.
    â€œI want you to dine with us tonight,” she breathed.
    â€œIt is very kind of you to ask me, but I am afraid it is impossible.   Goodbye, Stella.”
    He moved away before she could stop him and as he ran down the stairs, he heard her call after him, but he did not look back.
    As he walked out of the house, he felt he had learnt a lesson he would always remember.
    It was that women like Stella were not looking for love, but for money and position.
    He was feeling so furious with himself that he had been deceived into believing that she really loved him.
    He had been certain that, if it was possible and he asked her to marry him, she would accept.
    â€˜I was a fool to even think of it,’ he told himself.
    Then he knew, as he went back to his barracks that the Viceroy was right – the sooner he departed from India and was free of the Russians and Stella the better.
    They both had one thing in common – one could not trust either of them.
    Back at the barracks, he ordered his batman to pack up everything he possessed.
    â€œYou going home, Sahib?” the batman asked.
    â€œI am afraid so, Ali, and thank you very much for looking after me for so long.”
    â€œI miss you, Sahib.  You very kind to me and I do hope you not away too long.”
    â€œIf I do come back, I will ask for you at once, but it is not very likely.”
    He then went to see his Colonel and he found that he was expecting him.  He had already guessed from what the Viceroy had told him that David would have to leave.
    â€œI will miss you, Ingle,” he said, “more than I can possibly say.  But I am sure it is wise for you to be away from India at least for some time.”
    â€œThat is just what His Excellency said to me, but you must know, Colonel, I have no wish to leave and I will miss the Regiment enormously”
    â€œWhat you are really saying is that you will miss the very valuable work you have done in The Great Game .  I know I need not tell you to be very discreet about what you say in England, however influential they may be.”
    David nodded.
    â€œIt is such an exciting story, Ingle, that it would be almost impossible for them to keep it from their wives and their friends.  You know, as I do, that one unfortunate word could mean the end of a man’s life.”
    â€œMy lips are sealed after tonight, Colonel.”
    â€œI must, of course, congratulate you on coming into your grandfather’s title,” the Colonel continued.  “But I am afraid it will mean the end of your Army career.”
    â€œThat is what I am afraid of too,” replied David.  “I have the uncomfortable feeling there will be much for me to do when I reach home.”
    The Colonel was silent for a moment, then added,
    â€œI have never had an Officer under me with such excellent prospects as yours.  It’s not only your work in The Great Game that has been outstanding, but also your good influence in the Regiment has helped me greatly.  I can only say that I will miss you every day you are gone.”
    David was deeply touched.
    â€œThat is very kind of you, Colonel, and I know how much I will miss the men I have enjoyed training and my brother Officers have been extremely kind to me.”
    â€œI suppose it is Fate and when Fate takes a hand in our lives there is nothing we can do about it!”
    David decided that he must be right.
    *
    Later that night as the Steamship moved out of port, he stood on deck.
    He watched the lights of Calcutta until he could not see them any longer.
    Then he knew with a deep sigh that a chapter of his life had closed.
    It had encompassed so much that he found it hard to believe it was really at an end.
    There had been the Regiment, the thrill of his first mission in The Great Game , when he had been very near to death at least half-a-dozen times