e, and I searched the ground with my eyes in dread lest
I should trip over the remains of some man by whose side I had ridden
during many a parade or drill.

Brace stepped forward boldly, and we passed through the gateway into the
yard when, suddenly, and as silently as if barefooted, a white figure
started up near us, and would have fled had not Brace caught it by the
arm.

"Silence!" he said in Hindustani.

"Don't kill me, master," came in a low supplicating whisper.

"Dost!" I exclaimed, for I recognised the voice.

"Yes, master," he cried, turning to me.

"What were you doing here?" said Brace, sternly.

"I came up when all was dark and the budmashes were all gone, master,"
said the man with trembling accents. "I have been to master's
quarters."

"To plunder?" said Brace, sternly.

"Master's servant is honest and never steals," said Dost, quickly.
"Master can search and see."

"I think--I'm sure he is honest," I said hastily. "Tell us, Dost. Who
is in the barracks now?"

"The dead men, master," said the Hindu solemnly. "There is no one
living there. Yes," he added quickly, "I did hear sounds, but I could
find nobody. And the mem sahib is gone."

"Where did you hear the sounds?" I asked.

"By the stables, my lord. If the budmashes had not taken away all the
horses I should have thought the horses were there still."

"And they are," I whispered to Brace.

"Be cautious," he whispered back. "We must not trust this man. Dost,
tell me; the major--where is he?"

The man sighed, and said softly--

"The burra major is dead. I have laid his body inside the mess-room.
The mem sahib must have escaped or been carried off."

"You did this, Dost?" I cried, after a pause.

"Yes, sahib. It was dreadful for him to lie there."

"Take us where you have laid him," said Brace, sternly; "but mind, if
you attempt to escape, I shall fire."

"Why should thy servant try to escape?" said the man simply. "This
way."

"You do not trust him?" I said to Brace.

"Trust?" he replied bitterly. "Who can ever trust a Hindu again?"

We followed Dost across the compound, to where the blank windows of the
mess-room loomed out of the darkness, and we saw that they and the door
were carefully closed.

"I have misjudged him, Gil," whispered Brace; "he has been here."

As the Hindu began to open the door, we glanced sharply about the place,
each holding his double rifle, ready for immediate action against hum