rmoil Anstice found
time to wonder exactly what she meant by this curious speech. Somehow he
could not help connecting the odd look which her face still held with
the strange words she had used; and he wondered what had been the manner
of Cheniston's passing.

"Mrs. Cheniston"--Iris started as his voice fell on her ears--"you will
come away--now? There is nothing for you to do here. And you should try
to sleep----"

"Sleep?" She glanced up at him with an indescribably dreary look in her
eyes. "I could not sleep, Dr. Anstice. If you will let me stay with
you"--her voice shook a little--"I should be glad. I--I don't want to be
alone--just yet."

"Of course you don't." He spoke promptly. "And you shall certainly stay
with me, if you will. But--will it trouble you to make me a cup of
coffee, Mrs. Cheniston? I'm awfully sorry to bother you, but I've had
nothing to eat for some time----"

At another moment she might have seen through his subterfuge; but now,
her wits dulled, her mind clouded by the scene through which she had
lately passed, she accepted his petition as genuine.

"Of course I will get you some coffee--at once." She moved towards the
door as she spoke. "I--I am so sorry I did not think of it before."

When she had gone he went quickly in search of Garnett, and explained
what service he required of the stalwart Australian.

"Of course--we'll carry him, bed and all, into another room," said
Garnett readily. "That window must be guarded, and we can't ask the poor
girl to enter the room with her husband lying dead there. Let's hustle,
while she's busy--the little room 'way across there will do."

Accordingly when Iris re-entered the room, rather shrinkingly, to
acquaint Anstice with the fact that a meal awaited him, she found an
empty space where the bed had stood; and although her eyes widened she
said nothing on the subject--an omission for which Anstice was thankful,
for the night's work had been a strain on him also; and he was in no
humour for further discussion at the moment.

* * * * *

He found the rest of the little garrison even more subdued than usual.
The death of one of their number had naturally cast a general gloom; and
when he had made a pretence of despatching his supper Anstice easily
persuaded Mrs. Wood to take a few hours' rest by the side of her little
girl, who was now, fortunately, well on the way to recovery from her
sudden illness.

The incapable