ded to the
fact that he had left Cawnpore that morning, instead of waiting as he
had intended, convinced Bathurst that what he dreaded had taken place.
He waited until Isobel stopped for a moment, that Rabda might rearrange
the cloth folded round her in its proper draping. Then he said quickly,
"I heard yesterday what was intended, Doctor. Is it possible that it has
been done?"

"It was done this morning."

"What, all? Surely not all, Doctor?"

"Every soul--every woman and child. Think of it--the fiends! the devils!
The native brought me the news. If I had heard it in the streets of
Cawnpore I should have gone mad and seized a sword and run amuck. As it
was, I was well nigh out of mind. I could not stay there. The man would
have sheltered me until the troops came up, but I was obliged to be
moving, so I started down. Hush! here comes Isobel; we must keep it from
her."

"Now, Isobel," he went on, as the girl joined them, and they all started
along the road, "tell me how it is I find you here."

"Mr. Bathurst must tell you, Doctor; I cannot talk about it yet--I can
hardly think about it."

"Well, Bathurst, let us hear it from you."

"It is a painful story for me to have to tell."

Isobel looked up in surprise.

"Painful, Mr. Bathurst? I should have thought--" and she stopped.

"Not all painful, Miss Hannay, but in parts. I would rather tell
you, Doctor, when we have finished our journey this evening, if your
curiosity will allow you to wait so long."

"I will try to wait," the Doctor replied, "though I own it is a trial.
Now, Isobel, you have not told me yet what has happened to your face.
Let me look at it closer, child. I see your arms are bad, too. What on
earth has happened to you?"

"I burnt myself with acid, Doctor. Mr. Bathurst will tell you all about
it."

"Bless me, mystery seems to thicken. Well, you have got yourself into a
pretty pickle. Why, child, burns of that sort leave scars as bad as if
you had been burnt by fire. You ought to be in a dark room with your
face and hands bandaged, instead of tramping along here in the sun."

"I have some lotions and some ointment, Doctor. I have used them
regularly since it was done, and the places don't hurt me much now."

"No, they look healthy enough," he said, examining them closely.
"Granulation is going on nicely; but I warn you you will be disfigured
for months, and it may be years before you get rid of the scars. I
doubt, indeed, if you will e