side,
while Beckenham and myself crept down from the back. Not a sound was to
be made or a shot fired until I blew my whistle. Then, with one last
word of caution, we started on our climb.

By this time the clouds had cleared off the sky and the stars shone
brightly. Once more I arrived at the small precipice behind the huts,
and, having done so, sat down for a few moments to give the other
parties time to take up their positions. Then, signing to Beckenham to
accompany me, I followed the trend of the precipice along till I
discovered a place where we might descend in safety. In less than a
minute we were on the plateau below, creeping towards the centre hut.
Still our approach was undetected. Bidding Beckenham in a whisper wait
for me, I crept cautiously round to the front, keeping as much as
possible in the shadow. As soon as I had found the door, I tiptoed
towards it and prepared to force my way inside but I had an adventure in
store for me which I had not anticipated.

Seated in the doorway, almost hidden in the shadow, was the figure of a
man. He must have been asleep, for he did not become aware of my
presence until I was within a foot of him. Then he sprang to his feet
and was about to give the alarm. Before he could do so, however, I was
upon him. A desperate hand-to-hand struggle followed, in which I fought
solely for his throat. This once obtained I tightened my fingers upon it
and squeezed until he fell back unconscious. It was like a horrible
nightmare, that combat without noise in the dark entry of the hut, and I
was more than thankful that it ended so satisfactorily for me. As soon
as I had disentangled myself, I rose to my feet and proceeded across his
body into the hut itself. A swing door led from the porch, and this I
pushed open.

"Who is it, and what do you want?" said a voice which I should have
recognized anywhere.

In answer I took Phyllis in my arms and, whispering my name, kissed her
over and over again. She uttered a little cry of astonishment and
delight. Then, bidding her step quietly, I passed out into the
starlight, leading her after me. As we were about to make for the path
by which I had descended, Beckenham stepped forward, and at the same
instant the man with whom I had been wrestling came to his senses and
gave a shout of alarm. In an instant there was a noise of scurrying feet
and a great shouting of orders.

"Make for the boats!" I cried at the top of my voice, and, taking
Phy