, but gazed with a great fixity at
something that seemed to be infinitely far away. As Tommy looked, a
terrible rattling breath went through the heavy, inert form. It seemed
to rend body and soul asunder. There followed a brief palpitating
shudder, and the head on his arm sank sideways. A great stillness
fell....

Ralston knelt and freed him from his burden. "Get up!" he said.

Tommy obeyed though he felt more like collapsing. He leaned upon the
table and stared while Ralston laid the big frame flat and straight upon
the floor.

"Is he dead?" he asked in a whisper, as Ralston stood up.

"Yes," said Ralston.

"It wasn't my fault, was it?" said Tommy uneasily. "I couldn't stop him
talking."

"He'd have died anyhow," said Ralston. "It's a wonder he ever got here
if he was shot in the jungle as he must have been. That
means--probably--that the brutes have started their games to-night. Odd
if he should be the first victim!"

Tommy shuddered uncontrollably.

Ralston gripped his arm. "Don't be a fool now! Death is nothing
extraordinary, after all. It's an experience we've all got to go through
some time or other. It doesn't scare me. It won't you when you're a bit
older. As for this fellow, it's about the best thing that could happen
for everyone concerned. Just rememer that! Providence works pretty near
the surface at times, and this is one of 'em. You won't believe me, I
daresay, but I never really felt that Ralph Dacre was dead--until this
moment."

He led Tommy from the room with the words. It was not his custom to
express himself so freely, but he wanted to get that horror-stricken
look out of the boy's eyes. He talked to give him time.

"And now look here!" he said. "You've got to keep your head--for you'll
want it. I'll give you something to steady you, and after that you'll be
on your own. You must cut back to The Green Bungalow and find Bernard
Monck and tell him just what has happened--no one else mind, until
you've seen him. He's discreet enough. I'm going round to the Colonel.
For if what I think has happened, those devils are ahead of us by
twenty-four hours, and we're not ready for 'em. They've probably cut the
wires too. When you've done that, you report down at the barracks! Your
sister will probably have to be taken there for safety. And there may be
some tough work before morning."

These last words of his had a magical effect upon Tommy. His eyes
suddenly shone. Ralston had accomplished his pu