al necessity. If
Captain Rallywood had sacrificed his public to his private honour, if he
had chosen to prefer his country's cause to his oath of fealty----'

Rallywood understood.

'No one knows I am here,' he said.

'Ah, true!'

'No one need ever know where the despatches have been. In four hours
they shall be with Major Counsellor at the British Legation.'

'If you, Captain Rallywood, will bear the whole responsibility that
would simplify the matter. Otherwise it is war.' Selpdorf looked
meaningly at Rallywood as he spoke.

But Valerie was not deceived.

'Not that! not that!' she cried.

'It must be that or nothing.' Selpdorf did not look at her and he spoke
almost brusquely.

'I know what it means. They will say he was false to his oath! Oh,
father, is there no other way? I cannot let him go!'

Rallywood's face changed. Fate was crushing her two strange gifts into
his hands, love and death at the same moment! He crossed to Valerie's
side, and drawing her to him his gray eyes looked their courage and
their happiness into hers.

'My darling, this makes it easy, whatever comes!'

'It may be death! It will be death!' He winced at the low agonised
whisper.

She turned to her father.

'Father, you have the power to do anything you please in Maasau. You
will save him for me! You can save him! Promise me that or I cannot let
him go!'

Selpdorf was touched. He liked Rallywood. There was much in the
single-hearted soldier that appealed to his sympathies. But----

'I will not deceive you, Valerie, at such a time as this,' he answered
gently; 'I cannot foresee what may happen. I may not be able to prevent
the worst. Captain Rallywood holds the despatches. He offers to
sacrifice himself for the State, and the decision rests with you.'

Valerie buried her face in her hands. The clock moved noiselessly on and
on, and the very air seemed to throb in the silence. Then the girl
raised her head and looked steadily at Rallywood.

'It would not be love if I said otherwise. You would not love me if I
said otherwise. You must go, John!'

CHAPTER XXVIII.

THE ARREST.

By the following evening tongues were busy in Revonde. Rumour and
mystery and an absence of any definite information added zest to the
town talk. The broken reports were curious.

Major Counsellor had fallen down the staircase at the British Legation
and injured his head, his brow being much contused. His return to
Revonde was explained