red Guy in an agony, "only one
more effort, and we shall be safe. We can carry you if you can't walk."

"No," he gasped. "Go at once. You can escape. I would only keep you back
and cause your capture; better one than three."

Guy threw an appealing glance at Canaris. The Greek's features were
immovable. He calmly waited the result of Guy's pleading.

"My brave fellow," said Chutney, in a husky voice, kneeling down and
clasping Melton's hand, "I refuse to accept your sacrifice. I shall
remain here with you and we will meet our fate together. Canaris, save
yourself while there is yet time. I will not desert my friend."

The Greek paused irresolutely. The convulsive workings of his face
showed the struggle going on in his mind. Suddenly Melton rose on one
elbow and cried excitedly:

"Go, go, I tell you."

Guy shook his head. "No," he said decidedly. "I shall remain."

"You are throwing your lives away," said Melton bitterly. "Here, help me
up. I will make another effort."

In an instant Guy and Canaris had gladly pulled him to his feet, and off
they went again as rapidly as possible. All was quiet around them. A
deep silence, broken only by the occasional low of a cow, had enwrapped
the town. So far their escape had remained undiscovered.

"Ah, here we are," said Canaris joyfully, turning down a dark, dirty
passage, so narrow that the three could barely walk abreast. "In three
minutes we shall reach the wall."

Three minutes is not a long time, but it is long enough for many things
to happen. They had traversed half the length of the street when Guy,
moved by one of those sudden, unexplainable impulses, turned his head.

Ten yards behind, crawling with soft and stealthy tread, was a grim,
half naked Somali. How long he had been following in their track it was
impossible to tell. But there he was, a stern Nemesis, the moonlight
shining on spear and shield, and glowing on the dark, villainous
features.

Guy and Canaris wheeled round and stood with drawn revolvers. The Somali
clutched his spear and drew up his shield. The silence remained
unbroken.

One single cry and a mad horde would rush forth like bees from a hive.
The Somali made one step backward, then another, and then, opening his
mouth, he gave a yell that was caught up in horrible echoes till the
street fairly rang.

"Malediction!" cried Canaris, in uncontrollable fury, "that's your last
shout," and, taking quick aim, he pulled his revolver on the s