back at her post; and one look
at Harry's flushed face and unseeing eyes convinced her that the next
twelve hours would make a high demand upon her energies, and her
resolute hopefulness of heart.

Desmond came in before Mess. His eyes were grave and anxious, and for
many minutes he stood looking down upon the boy in silence; the slim
uprightness of his figure emphasised by the close-fitting white
uniform, with its wide splash of scarlet at the waist. Then he
crossed to the table and studied the chart, that strange hieroglyph,
like a negative print of forked lightning, so full of dread meaning to
those who can read it aright. The latest entry was 106 deg.

"You saw Mackay?" he asked, under his breath.

"I did."

"You're in for a hard night of it. I'd better stay up and help."

"I'll not have you at any price," she answered bluntly.

He frowned. But the fact that he did not insist spoke volumes to her
understanding heart.

"Swear you'll send Amar Singh to wake me if it seems necessary."

"I will--no fear."

"He'll sit handy, just outside, all night and help you in any possible
way. He's a jewel at times like this. I'll look in again when I get
home."

"Come back early," she commanded with a sudden smile, "and have a
solid night of sleep. It's plain your needing it badly."

"Thanks. I believe I am. I'll make a fresh start afterwards and take
my fair share of the work. Jove! It's a furnace of a night. There goes
the trumpet; I'll be back before long."

His words were truer than he knew.

Shortly after nine o'clock, while Mrs Olliver was persuading her
semi-delirious patient to swallow two tablespoonfuls of chicken-broth,
quick footsteps and the clink of spurs made her sit suddenly upright,
with a listening look in her eyes. She knew the country of her service
well enough to be prepared for anything at any hour of the day or
night--and she was barely surprised when, two minutes later, Desmond
stood before her in his forage cap, his sword buckled on over his
mess-jacket and held high to prevent it from clanking.

"What is it?" she asked in a hurried whisper. "A beacon fire alight?"

He nodded, and passed a handkerchief across his forehead, for he had
come at lightning speed.

"A raid of sorts--out Hangu way. Can't tell if it'll be a big thing or
not. The whole garrison's ordered out."

It was a matter of seconds, and he spoke in a breathless rush.

"I dashed on ahead to give you a few instructions. Oll