368 WITH KITCHENER IN THE SOUDAN a possible place—which is more than any other station in the Soudan can be—for ladies.”

“I am not old enough to take those matters into consideration,” Gregory laughed. “ I am not twenty yet ; still,, I do think that anyone permanently stationed in the Soudan would have to make up his mind to remain a bachelor.”

The next morning the greater portion of the prisoners were allowed to return to their homes. All the grain and other stores found in the camp were divided among the women, who were advised to return to their native villages; but those who had lost their husbands were told that they might accompany the force to the river, and would be taken down to Omdurman and given assistance for a time, until they could find some means of obtaining a subsistence.

On returning to Khartoum, Colonel Wingate, at Gregory’s | request, told Lord Kitchener of the discovery that had been made, and said that he wished to return to England at once. The next day the Sirdar sent for Gregory.

“ Colonel Wingate has been speaking to me about you,” ' he said, “ and I congratulate you on your good fortune. In one respect I am sorry, for you have done so surprisingly j well that I had intended to appoint you to a responsible j position in the Soudan Civil Service, which is now being formed. Colonel Wingate says that you naturally wish to resign your i present post, but I should advise you not to do j so. The operation of the law in England is very uncertain.

I trust that in your case you will meet with but small difficulty in proving your birth, but there may be some hitch in i the matter, some missing link. I will therefore grant you I six months’ leave of absence. At the end of that time you i will see how you stand. If things have gone on well with i you, you can then send in your resignation; if, on the other , hand, you find yourself unable to prove your claim, it will i still be open to you to return here, and continue the career !

in which you have begun so well.”

' I am greatly obliged to you, sir, for your kindness ; and '