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elatives in England. At least according to the official military report, which I’m beginning to think
was more propaganda than legitimate reportage. The English had been trounced, after all. Shown to
be incapable of defending their own women and children. The Raj needed a hero and Roland
Everlee fit the bill. So yes, of course they embraced the story of his noble sacrifice, even if the
details came from the tongue of an Indian manservant.”
“Tom,” Trevor said shortly. “Fetch Felix back.”
Tom did as he was told, for once without question, and returned in a minute with both
Davy and Felix, who was gingerly holding out a hand in front of him. His right fingertips were
already inked.
“Felix,” said Trevor, “you told us that your uncle put the children in a cart. All the
reports claim that the roads between Bombay and Cawnpore were blocked by the mutineers. Do you
know how he managed to get this cart back to the city without being overrun in the process?”
The boy pursed his lips thoughtfully, the pause stretching to such length that Trevor was
beginning to think he had not understood the question. Perhaps he should have couched it in plainer
language. Just as he was about to try again, Felix spoke.
“Uncle not say. He said he lie on top of children. Guns and smoke. He…cover them
with his body like…like quilt on English bed, he say.”
“He lay over the children?” Trevor said. “Shielded them with his body? If that was the
case, who drove the cart?”
“Sahib Weaver,” Felix said matter-of-factly.
“Anthony Weaver went with them to rescue the family?” Trevor exploded, glancing at
Geraldine who had literally jumped to her feet with this news. “You are sure this is what your uncle
told you?”
The boy nodded, with wide eyes. The extreme reaction to his last statement seemed to
have stunned him and he looked rather guiltily down at his ink-stained hand.
“Felix,” Rayley said gently. “Your uncle told you Roland Everlee was the best white
man. What did he tell you about Anthony Weaver?”
“He say Sahib Weaver take care of our family,” Felix said. “For all days. And this he
do. Yes? This he do?”