ing will happen, but we're going to shut the gates at once, and
make every possible preparation."

"In case of an attack?"

"Yes. But we have a good place for defence here. It would be something
to worry about if we were out in the open desert."

"There are five men, counting your Highlanders," said Victoria, turning
to Nevill. "I think they are brave, and I know well already what you
both are." Her eyes flashed to Stephen's with a beautiful look, all for
him. "And Saidee and I aren't cowards. Our greatest grief is that we've
brought you into this danger. It's for our sakes. If it weren't for us,
you'd be safe and happy in Algiers."

Both men laughed. "We'd rather be here, thank you," said Stephen. "If
you're not frightened, that's all we want. We're as safe as in a fort,
and shall enjoy the adventure, if we have any."

"It's like you to say that," Victoria answered. "But there's no use
pretending, is there? Cassim will bring a good many men, and Si
Maieddine will be with them, I think. They couldn't afford to try, and
fail. If they come, they'll have to--make thorough work."

"Yet, on the other hand, they wouldn't want to take too many into their
secret," Stephen tried to reassure her.

"Well, we may soon know," she said. "But what I came out to say, is
this. My sister has two carrier pigeons with her. One has hurt its wing
and is no use. But the other is well, and--he comes from Oued Tolga. Not
the Zaouia, but the city. We've been thinking, she and I, since the Arab
servant didn't answer, that it would be a good thing to send a letter
to--to Captain Sabine, telling him we expected an attack."

"It would be rather a sell if he got the message, and acted on it--and
then nothing happened after all," suggested Nevill.

"I think we'll send the message," said Stephen. "It would be different
if we were all men here, but----"

Victoria turned, and ran back to the open door.

"The pigeon shall go in five minutes," she called over her shoulder.

Stephen and Nevill went to the dining-room.

The landlord was there, drunk, talking to himself. He had broken a dish,
and was kicking the fragments under the table. He laughed at first when
the two Englishmen tried to impress upon him the gravity of the
situation; at last, however, they made him understand that this was no
joke, but deadly earnest. They helped him close and bar the heavy iron
gates; and as they looked about for material with which to build up a
barrier if