A Christmas Garland by Anne Perry

happened in that prison, who did it, or why. I have told you what the injuries were to Chuttur Singh, who I examined after he was brought to the medical wing. I cannot deduce anything more than I have already told you.”
    “Thank you, Major Rawlins. I had assumed as much.” Busby seemed about to add something further, then changed his mind and turned to Narraway. His expression was bland, polite even, except for a bright spark of anger in his eyes.
    Narraway rose to his feet, knowing this was his last chance. He still had a small, gnawing pain inside him that he could not ignore. What if Tallis was innocent? What if there was still some different question none of them had thought to ask?
    He turned to Rawlins. He was limited now. This was not his witness—he could only revisit the issues Busby had raised.
    “How long have you been a surgeon with the regiment, sir?”
    Busby was still standing. “Are you questioning Major Rawlins’s qualifications?” he asked incredulously.
    “Of course I’m not!” Narraway said extremely tartly. “I am trying to establish his very considerable expertise. Do you think I should be questioning his qualifications?” He invested the same haughty disbelief into his own voice.
    “For God’s sake, man!” Busby exploded.
    Latimer banged on the table. “Captain Busby! We will not have the Lord’s name taken in vain in this court. We may be far from home, but that is all the greater reason to conduct ourselves with dignity. You will please allow Lieutenant Narraway to ask his questions. If they are inappropriate, then I shall tell him so.”
    A flash of anger spread up Busby’s face, but he sat down.
    Narraway was about to thank Latimer, then thought better of it. It would be rubbing in the point, probablyunwisely. He merely inclined his head and turned again toward Rawlins.
    “How long have you been a surgeon with the regiment, sir?” he repeated.
    “Seven and a half years,” Rawlins replied.
    “And have you always had medical orderlies, such as John Tallis?”
    “Yes, of course.”
    “How long have you had John Tallis, specifically?”
    “Approximately two years.”
    “How has his conduct been, during that time?” Narraway could feel his heart pounding in his chest and his breath catching. He did not know what Rawlins’s answer would be.
    Rawlins stood a little straighter, squaring his shoulders. A tiny muscle ticked in his temple. His fair skin was sunburned, in places badly. He looked desperately tired.
    “I found him undisciplined,” he said quietly. “His sense of humor was unreliable, to put it at its kindest. He was frequently insubordinate. He was also the best medical orderly I have ever had, and I tried to encouragehim to qualify as a doctor. He is highly skilled. He never gave up on saving a man’s life or attempting to save a limb. His compassion is extraordinary. He drove some of the more rigid officers to distraction, but I never met an ordinary man, Indian or white, who did not like him. I realize that is not necessarily what you want to hear, but it is the truth.”
    At the table, Latimer closed his eyes. His face was bleak, reflecting the hurt of betrayal that he felt.
    Narraway did not know what to say. The air in the room seemed too heavy to breathe in. His own mouth was dry. He could not look at Tallis. Rawlins clearly not only thought unusually highly of Tallis, he liked the man. This made Tallis’s perceived betrayal a profoundly personal one, perhaps even more than it was professional, to the army and the country they both served.
    Everyone was looking at Narraway, waiting for him to continue.
    He gulped. He must say something.
    “Did Corporal Tallis know Dhuleep Singh, as far as you are aware? Did he ever mention him, or did you see them together, Major Rawlins?”
    “No.”
    “Can you imagine any reason whatever why Tallis should want to rescue Dhuleep Singh?”
    “No.”
    “Corporal Tallis is charged with this crime not because we believe