it, when we've settled down a bit. We had
already camped for the night, when we saw the reflection of your fire,
and came down to investigate. Introduce me to the lady."

The little Major bowed to Clare in his best style. His face betrayed no
consciousness of the strangeness of the situation, in that while Dr.
Imbrie was a prisoner, Mrs. Imbrie was obviously under Stonor's
protection. He engaged her in conversation about the weather as if they
had just met at a lawn fete. It was exactly what the shaken Clare
needed.

Meanwhile Stonor slipped aside to his friends. "Lambert!" he cried,
gripping his brother-sergeant's hand, "God knows your ugly phiz is a
beautiful sight to my eyes! I knew I could depend on you! I knew it!"

Lambert silently clapped him on the back. He saw from Stonor's face what
he must have been through.

Beyond Lambert Stonor caught sight of a gleaming smile on a dark face.
"Tole!" he cried. "They brought you! How good it is to find one's
friends!"

CHAPTER XVII

THE HEARING

They moved to a better camping-place on the mainland. Major Egerton
could rough it as well as any youngster in the service, but as a matter
of principle he always carried a folding bed, table, and chair in his
outfit. These simple articles made a great impression on the natives.
When the Major's tent was pitched, and the table and chair set up
inside, the effect of a court of justice was immediately created, even
in the remotest wilderness.

Next morning they all gathered in his tent. The Major sat at the table
with Coulter, his orderly and general factotum, sitting on a box at his
left with pen and note-book before him. Stonor stood at the Major's
right. The two prisoners stood facing the table, with Lambert keeping an
eye on them. Clare sat in the place of honour on the Major's cot against
the side of the tent. Tole and Ancose squatted on their heels just
inside the door.

"I'll start with the woman," said the Major. Addressing her directly, he
said sternly: "It is my duty to tell you that anything you may say here
can be used against you later, and it is therefore your privilege to
refuse to answer. At the same time a refusal to answer naturally
suggests the fear of incriminating yourself, so think well before you
refuse. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, sir."

"Ah, you speak good English. That simplifies matters. First, what is
your name?"

"Annie Alexander."

"Married?"

"No, sir."

"Age?"

"Forty-