His man and the black stranger exchanged two sentences . ` Certainly , sir , ' said the young officer promptly . ` Everything waits while a horse is concerned . ' ` We sha n't be more than twenty minutes , ' said Kim 's man . ` You can do the honours -- keep 'em amused , and all that . ' ` Tell one of the troopers to wait , ' said the tall man , and they both passed into the dressing-room together as the landau rolled away . Kim saw their heads bent over Mahbub Ali 's message , and heard the voices -- one low and deferential , the other sharp and decisive . ` It is n't a question of weeks . It is a question of days -- hours almost , ' said the elder . ` I 'd been expecting it for some time , but this ' -- he tapped Mahbub Ali 's paper -- ` clinches it . Grogan 's dining here to-night , is n't he ? ' ` Yes , sir , and Macklin too . ' ` Very good . I 'll speak to them myself . The matter will be referred to the Council , of course , but this is a case where one is justified in assuming that we take action at once . Warn the Pined and Peshawar brigades . It will disorganize all the summer reliefs , but we ca n't help that . This comes of not smashing them thoroughly the first time . Eight thousand should be enough . ' ` What about artillery , sir ? ' '
I must consult XXXXX . '
Ali Grogan Kim Macklin Pined days first honours hours minutes