"Report, Captain." Hook sat in the room he had requisitioned, overlooking the parade ground outside Mardan. He had aged in the past few weeks, with new lines of worry engraved on his face. He listened carefully as Jack told him about the situation in Torkrud, the growing numbers of Mujahidin and the gunsmiths of Tazhak.
"Batoor Khan of Torkrud is dead, you say?"
"Yes, sir. We found a Waziri with his sword."
"He was a friend of yours, I believe. That is a pity; we need every friend we can get out here." Hook sighed. "Can"t be helped; we"ll cope. Now, about these Enfields. Every weapon had the same serial number, you say?" Hook had been scribbling notes as Jack spoke.
"There were two serial numbers, sir. Most had the same."
"What was the number?"
"771," Jack said at once.
"771?" Hook
