FOR HONOUR OR DEATH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14441, 6 February 1909, Page 2

FOR HONOUR OR DEATH.

TIIJC BTOKY OF A WOMAN'S LOVE. By DTC'lv DOXOVAX, A';tlior oi "For God »nd Ihe Czar," "Fiom tta lio-om o[ (he Deep," " Stormliffht,' _yi'lio Lord Laird," " Without Faith or 2W," " .Ituie Shore," " iJusiie the Jceter,' "In the Rod JJawn,'' '• 'J'lie Cieat White Hand," "Tho Star o: Fortune," "From tho Clutch of the hea," • The Alluring yiami,' " from an Adventurous Lif«."

CHAPTER XXVIIT.-Tin. DELIVERER.

When liis friend had gone, Allport sutfercd from a. passing lit of depression, a sciifo of terrible loneliness. His life had moved a.t a, great pace since that dark episode in the Klysiiuu Club in lyondon, and much had been crowded into a short space. Already lie had accumulated enough material for a stwy of thrilling adventure, but the situation' in which ho now found himself seemed in bis Kilitudo to promihe no hope, no end to tho wearying and blighting suspense. His thoughts ■busied themselves with ihe past, "and regrets, however vain they were, tortured him. Xot, for the tirst time, Clara Gold-•schmid-t liecainv almost the f.ole subject of his relied ions. His conscience smote him, for he could not' dissuade himself that lie had not, treated her veiy badly, lie recalled many trivial circumstances wliieh v at the time, did not impress him ill tho leait degree, but which now, when thousands of miles <«p))arat«l him from her, and if seemed like madness to cherish a hope that he would ever meet, her were handwriting on the wall. At that juncture they were unmistakable signs that while tdie bare bun feelings of deep end warm regard, he had wolinded her, liy what- be now considered was brutal inditieremv. She had been loyal and true, despite her brother, ami though lie felt himself hound to Olivia, he omdit lo have moi e clearly recognised- Clara's friendship, li3r soioi-nl atfection, indeed, as he was now pleased to consider it. Uf course, this was the merest sophistry, for he did mil understand his own feelings. He was incapable of subjecting them to a process of analysis, ami -revealing tho fact. that, he had been so dazzled by Olivia Limlmarl; as to be incapable of descerniiig the beautiful qualities of (lira's nature. She. had bran like a fister lo him, though he lu«d failed lo treat- her with brotherly regard. Thus did his conscience' reptvavh iiim, and the one derive of his heart he would have wished to gratify at t-liAt moment, had if been possible 'to hove done so, was to convoy to Clara (Joldsc-huiiilt an assurance that, tho held I,lie first pliieo in his esteem. 11l n lititlo while this feeling <if sentiment. was superseded,by a, flippant callousness, wlrich caused him to mentally exclaim, " I'ooh! Why should I trouble my head about her! iSlie will have foi«ottta inc. All woiiwii are as false as dicer's oaths. It's their, nature to be. The chances are, Clara's.niarried by this time."

With this consoling reflection, his retrospective cogitations ended- for the moment, ami lie {unowned himself with tin.' present- and the future. Ho seemed to be the Apart, of a strange destiny. Ho had l>cci) face to face with death; hut at the very luomont when hope had gone, something Like a miracle had happened, and though ihe was still a prisoner, bis prospects had brightened, though it might only be fi passing Mid dolusive gleam. If the mysterious person who had interested herself in his welfare failed him now, what, passible ohanc.e was there of his escape? Natumlly, a man in his ]ios.ition would experience many moods, and Allport fluctuated between despair and hope, and as hour aftor hour passed, and iw one came near lnm, suspense almost, threw hiiin iMo a few, The room in which he was contkcd was a fnivly laws one. He tried the doors, but tliey were bolted, There new two long windows guarded by jalousies, but tlio jalousies were screwed; up. No great, physical effort, would have been need to have broken a way through tire woodwork and got on to the voKMidah, hut he knew that » mnnber of natives were squatted about

the verandah. lie could hear thorn Conversing ill low. drowsy f -mos; lie could Mticll Hie peculiar fumes of (heir hubble-bubbles. Inarmed as he was, lie could not hope t') u r r! clear, ;nid am' attempt, at escape would almost certainly result, in closer -confinement. Men cover, the plans of his pfr-'inj-:- h(-ir>t'aclie;.'. miuht lie thwarted. Ho drilled, therefore, that it was belter to endure with patience, and wait- for developments. The beat w;u insufferable; mosquitoes tortured liiiu, vol. lie was enjoying luxury as compared witih the godown and the boiler-hou.-c. There was a lie-d in the room, and lie threw himself mi it. lint mil to .-.loop; his nerves were too much overstrung, his brain too active in trying to conceive what was likely to happen next.

So the dreary hours uassod; the sun was low ill the west. The light in the room bocame mow sulid'iicd. Then he heard the grating of a key, the shooting of a bolt, He sprang up with a feeling of joyous relief; the monotony and solitude had become awful; the entrance of a. tigov would almost havo been welcome, but instead of a. tiger the kiliimrghar {'amc in with some food. He was a-.uiiM-eye.d man, and moved with the noisclesslKf.s of his (Kind, his bare feet making onlv a .'oft patter on the polished llnor. Ho wa.s deferential too, by tiie force of habit. The black servants of white masters become in India very subdued and quiet-; t'ney learn lo restr-iiu their feelings, though there is often bitterness in their hearts.

"The sahib has slept?" he asked in a soft, purring tone.

" Slept'; lie hanged, mo!" answered Allport. Then, in a less irritable lone, be added. "The heat, the mosquitoes, ami the general mis-try of my ]«siliim have not conduced to .sleep, lint tell me, what is your name?" "I was called Laalool by the sahibs I served." " What si,hihs*?" ''The Sahibs (iib?on anil Steele," ■ " Who were they?" "T'liny were the manager and foreman of the factory, and lived In this house.'' 'What became of them?" "They went away w.ith all the memsaliibs, and the other sahibs and the becba of the fuctory." ''Where did they go to?" "They tried to go to Allahabad, Iml it is said they were all killed hvthesepovs. The Sahibs Gibson and Steele were good sahibs. I would have saved them if I could, bill the p.-nple here would have killed lile if they liad suspected me. I belong not to this part of the country. I come from ISoinhav. Bombay men belter Ihan these men."

Something iu l.aalool's maimer ami tone struck Allport that lie was more of a friend than an enemy, and he said quickly—

" If yon were treated well bv your late masters, and yon must, have been, or yon would not have wished to save them, show your gratitiulo now by befriending me."

Laalool glanced ronml after the manner of one who know that caution was necessary.

" The sahib does not understand." ho replied in low tones, aixl in n peculiar manner thatSvas significant, All]K)l't's hopes bounded up, and ho put. out hia liand as if to grasp the kitmurghar's hand ; but the man drew back, and raised a tinker by way of warning. "The sohib must lie cautious, perhaps we arc watched," he said, "The sahib has a. friend. l > rrh:i|:<> all will bo well. But patience, sahib, patience !" "Who is my friend?" gasped Allport eagerly. "l'atience," repeated the man. "all may be wc-11. The people here are vorv angry with Kurdish men. Tliey kill me if thoy think I'm friend of while man. I go now. liy-aird-bye 1 conic again, and bring cocoaliut. lamp." lit' turned and left th» room ahi-uptlv, and Allj»rt's spirits were almost litioyan't. He could no longer doubt that some plan was being matured in his favour, iind- tlw kitinurghiir had knowledge of it. He partook greedily of the forxt and cirink that had ken placed upon the table, and felt more comfortame than he had felt, for many days. It was dark when Laalool returned, bringing w ith liim a

lamp and a book, a- conv of the "Pilgrim's Progress." It bad evidently belonged lo one of the Englishmen who had occupied the house. It was in the nature of a- godsend to ihe prisoner.

"I eonie again to-morrow," .said the kilmiirghar as he left tie room.

.Although the light was ;t mere glimmer A!!p >rt found- distraction in t.lio book, mitwithstuiidiug that lie knew it almost by heart, lint it was .something wider tile circiim.stances to l>.? able to keep bis mind from dwelling on the past, or concerning itself w;ith his jire-ycnt woes. lie read until his eves grew weary, and then Ik: lay upon the bed and scon fell asleep. If; was uwakaned in the morning by the entrance of Eaalool witli bis' breakfast. He tried to draw him into conversation, but the man evidently felt he wa.s running risks, and made a sjiccdv exit. He cyme with more food aWit midday, but observed the same reticence. It was another day of heat, and discomfort for Allport, and as the night drew on he became a prey to heavy depression again. Lungsustained suspense produces a condition of mind that borders on actual madness, and Allport felt that be was once more reaching the extremist limit of bis endurance. and that if itiithing didn't happen his brain would crack. The something did happen, 1/ialool came about seven o'clock, carryin;; a native currv, same mangoes, and two bottles of English bier, As lie f.cl the things upon the table be slipped a t'ny chit into the prisoner's bauds and hastily departed. Allport. lore open the little note. Written with pencil, and in the same handwriting as the note that, attached to a stone, was thrown into the hoilerhoure. were the following l-in.'s" l>e wakeful and viligant to-night. Some time after twelve, Laalobl. whom vow must ■trust, will visit you and bid you follow him. Hi/ and your life will be sacrificed if you do not siiccee-d in getting clear of the village, lie guided entirely by Lnnlool."

"At last!" thought the weary man. "At .last! The ilasb for liberty—for life or (loath—anything. anything is preferable to this awful inactivity, this gradual fiij-t----ing into madness."

To wait, with every sense on tli? alert, with nerves .■.trained, the brain on the Kiel;; to wait for some sound yon expeet, sonic sign you yearn for, and whirh means to you joy or sorrow—tests the iitrongwt. To Jasper, wlm bad already been Iriul so much, it was nwful. The hours seemed eternities. He felt as if he was growing an old man, that hi;" youth was leaving him. He expected thiit v. hen next. he saw the reflection of his face he would behold it wrinkled, and surmounted with snow-white hair. Ho. heard the grass erickols, the whir of the night beetles, and the hundred and one Rounds that fill the Indian night, and they were intensiticd to his listening nerves," until they were like so many painful blows falling upon his overwrought brain. I(e had no means of knowing the time; he could only tell it by his seiisatons, ami they indicated thai days, weeks, months, it.id passed l since he read the chit wherein he was warned to be on the alert. His-.pul.--c5 were beating at fever rate; (lis heart throbs seemed to sh-ake him.

Suddenly there came to him the click of a lock. His heart stopped. He turned his bloodshot eyes to the door. .Slowly, slowly.it open-cd. A thure stood on tiio threshold It was I-:uilool. AllpoH's heart went on again. The kiimuvg.har raised his hand as a sign oi caal-ion. Ifc advanced into tin loom, leaving the door ajar. He carried' a pic,'garree, which he deftly and quickly wound round Allport's liewl. From under his own dress he produced a thin muslin robe, which he told AHpopt to don with all speed. Then be mU-ied the word " Come." >'o second' bidding was needed. The two tiptoed out. They crept, atoui; the corridor, which was in darkness. Thev gained the outer verandah; they dr-scesuled tiio steps; tliey were ill. the village street. Jasper drew a great, gulp of air—hot, stilling air, lint it was the air of freedom. Above, the stars were shining in all the splendour of Indian brilliancy, and the moon was low down on the hnmon. Keeping in ihe shadow's thrown by the native dwellings. the two men glider] rather than walked. At that moment- there wa.s one domiimting thought in Jasper's mindtile mysterious woman who had befriended him, was he not- to see hw? Was lit) to have no chance of t-hunkiiig her, was shu for ever and ever to remain a mvsterv?

In that supreme-moment, when his fato was trembling in the balance, lie felt almost. rtlispoKOcl to refuse to advance another step unless slw came with him. It was almost, like insanity, but. such was hits feeling. Conversation was out. of tire question. Mechanically ho followed his guide, trying, as he believed, l<> overtake him, but never coming up with him; and yet only a few yards separated them. With his bars kel., Laalcol mads no found ; he walked rapidiy. Jasper wore Indian slippers, and, being imnfwl •1.» them, he experienced some difficulty in walking silently. At last- the houses grew fewer, the road' . was broadening. They were getting dear of the village. They passed some men coiled up under a wall; 0112 partly rc#o and made a remark or asknl a. question, which was I answered bv Lialwl Kitisfactorily, for the man lay down again. The fugitives hunikd on. At last, l.lie village was behind them. Jasper began to breathe freely. We yearned to question Lualool. Where was the writer of tin; letterc, the woman who had rendered succour in (he first village, who htui been a guardian angel in this? Where were they going to! The Indian gave, him no chance of speech, however.. He was consumed with anxiety for their' joint, safety. He knew that if they were pureiwl and overtaken ;it- would mean death for them both, At such a time conversation was out of ulace. Onward he flitted. .Jasper followed him like his shadow. They were missing a. pundv plain, covered with stunted trees, amidst which thousands of fireflies emulated the ■stars above. A pack of jackals tied across their path, yelling like fiends let loose 'from the lower world. There was a hiss, a lWtle of leaves, a. flutter of wings, a cry of terror; a. cobra, had seised a night- bird, lint t-heiw details were too commonplace to Laalool to came him even n momentary pause. Onward he went, silently like a ghost, and Jasper always trying to overtake him. but never doing so. OcWfc'i<jlM.!ly tile kitnnu'ghar cast his eyes -backward, as if fearing thatliis companion was failing too far behind; and once or twice, he stopped abruptly to listen if there were sounds of pursuit. Hut Jasper also stopped, unconsciously actuated by the same thought, that- passed through Laalool's brain, and by iinoonecioua cerebration imitating his movements. Then forward the guide went again, and the other followed, wearily and physically distressed. Presently they caine in sight of a grove of trees, then Laaiool spoke—

"The sahib will re-main here," lie said, "and I will go forward to tlu>. grove to see if all is well. When I whstile, the sahib will come 011. If 110 whistle, (ho aahib will remain here, and 1 will come •back."

lie gave no lime for any nsponse, bill. H'as off. Jasper "vnw bathed in perspiration, and was very exhausted. Ho suiilc mpon the ground and waited. Sleep had almost steeped, his .senses in oblivion wlron a whistle came from the direction of the trees. He started up, staggered a little, 'than went forward almost at. a. ran. As lie readied the grove he beheld two figures bawling in the shadow of a tree. The' one he recognised as the faithful Laahwl. 'I'lic other lie did twt know, until a soft., sweet, voice which be had heard onre before—it was in the godown—said, in a tone of eagerness— "So far, Corporal Aliport, all is well; but wo must not pause. When our tli.gbt is known, Ally's men may pursue 11s on ■their tats, and if we arc overtaken we shall certainly he destroyed. Besides, your friend anxiously awaits your coming, so lei- us push on."

Jaipur was surprised to find himself addressed so correctly. How did she know lie was Corporal Alljiort? Ke could not see her face, for all was dark beneath the (trees; besides, her features were screened by •» veil, ller figure .mil po.se, lio.vover, suggested ycutlifulness, and the voice wsb ra.'t iiud (TiTC'J, Ot-hmviso she

was a living mystery, and lie was per pleied.

" I evidently owe you a debt I can never repay," Ire said. "You have saved my life, and tlio life of my comradewhy? What interest is he, or am I , to yon? Something more than curiosity prompts my question. Tell me who voii are; your name, ami why y«u have risked .-'O much for me and mv friend''"

" You shall, know later on. perhaps. This is no time for explanations, Every moment is precious. The darkness aids lis; let us take advantage of it. Dm'ini> the heat of the day we will rest. Come] 1 have reached here by a very roundabout way, as it was necessary for me to leave the village by stealth. They would have prevented my coming if I had been sus-pc-cted, So let us go at once. Come."

CHAPTER XXIX.—FREEDOM. Tho peremptory manner in ivhch the strange woman uttered that "Come!" left Jasper little room to suppose that she would tolerate any further questioninc then, ller action ami voice were English, but she was attired in Indian costume, and she held a hurried conversation with Laalool, in Hindnslt-uee. This only added to the coiporals' perplexity, and he was at a. loss to determine her nationality, and she was not disposed to enlighten him, for she a.nd Laalool moved off, and he bad to follow.

f-'o fat' the route hud been almost, duo north, bnl when the .grove was left behind, they turned sharply to the east, and coninien-.-ed to descend a deep depression that- was covered with sparse jungle, which grew dtiner as tliev proceeded, ;uid from far below come the subdued and refreshing sound of falling water. Neither the veiled woman im Laalool falterel for a single instant. They evidently knew the country, aid were proceeding to some objective point. Tho woman and Laalool kept up a conversation in Hindust-a-nee, speaking in low tones. The woman walked '.veil, She was no stranger to jungle travelling. Silently Jasper walked behind them. The reaction from the intense excitement, sji.l the long strain he had endured, was producing such a feeling of lassitude and exhaustion, that he felt he could not go much furl her. lint- he littered no complaint. He exerted all his will power to keep up, though it was (i terrible' tax oil his energies. The weird, sliungo light which pieced:;; tho Indian d;:-wn began to spieail lliruwli the jungle. The night sounds died down. The insect world grew silent. The iireliies ceic-ed to Hit. A solemn, impiossive siknee leigued, broken oniv by the voice of the river, which. giew hoarser us they procetded. Onward the travellers went; Jasper now stumbling ami reding. The day dawned. The lire of tho rising sun smote the forest, and the heal became more.and mole oppressive. Louder and louder grew tlio river's song; the night was done; the burning, blistering nay had begun; Mow them was the glittering river, and near iis hank a shepherd's hut. An old and withered man was seated oil a stool in front of the hut, milking a (ow. He rose and salaamed as tho travellers approached. J/ndool spoke to him, and taking some money from his cummerbund otlVred it to him. 'they enteral the hut. Tho sri-pherd brought in a large dish of milk and some lotahs, Tb; milk was eagerly drunk by the tired trio, and then Jasper threw himrdf oil lo a bed of paddy straw, and im-lanily fell asleep. A cataclysm would have failed to arouse him. Tired nature demanded rest, and she would not he denied. All through the broiling day lie slept. He came out- of the deep sleep by slow degrees; very gradually his brain began to assume its normal functions, until at last he was enabled to recall all his terrible ex|iericnces of the pr.-st days. He felt at lirst as if it was all a hideous nightmare: thoughts of Clara Gitkbrlinnli wove his lirst lucid ones. So deeply was his mind impressed with her, that ho glnnted about halfexpecting to see her in the tlesh. Rut-, the paddy straw, tlio low-roofed hut, the smell of charcoal whk'h filled bis nostrils, enabled him to understand the situation, and realise that- Clara was ;..iiy a tigmnit of a half-dream siate. Hj; sprang up and stretched himself. He was alone; hut from without the sound of men's voices came to him. and be Heard the roar of Ibe river. He went to the doorway. The

river ran rod in (lie lurid glow of llie aftermath. for the sun ktl set. The shepherd, a very old and withered man. was squatting down, pu'prtrin 1 .' his supper over a. charcoal brazier. With him was Laalool, smoking a hubble-bubble. Hoth of them roso as lie appeared.

" Tlio sahib has sicpt well," said Laalool. 'The sahib will cat. and then wo will journoy onward," he added. "Time presses."

"Where is tlio niem-sshib?" asked Jasper eagerly.

"The mem-sahib has departed," was the answer.

Jasper experienced a- feeling of intense disappoitmeiit. "Departed!" ho ejaculated in full-voiced surprise. ' " Yes. The shepherd's son brought her a. tat, and she has ridden away. We shall meet her anon at the dawk house. When tho sahib has eaten, wo will start."

It. was evident- that Laalool was not inclined to further conversation, and he busied himself in preparing a meal of native curry, which Jasper did justice to, and washed it down with copious supplies of milk. When ho had linished he. felt like a giant refreshed, and Laalool suggested that ho might liko to bathe. Jasper uttered an exclamation of delight at tlio mere thought of such a hixmy. Laaloob led him to a pool formed by the rivor, where the water was crystal clear. Mover befme in bis life had he experienced such a- sensation of exquisite pleasure as that bath ali'ordd him. It gave him new life, now strength, new hope. A necessity long withheld becomes a luxury. Dry bread to a starving man is more delicious than ortolans to the blaso appetite. 'the night was deepening and the stars were shining when thy bade the shepherd farewell, Laalool bestowing an ample rowan! for the hospitality. The man had set them on their way, guiding them for about- four miles through the jungle, until they gained a road, where he left them. They travelled rapidly, for the road was good, and a rcfieshingly northerly wind tempered the iieat. Without a halt they swung along all through the night. There was dense jungle on each side, and it kept- the road in shade. The sun was high when I hey cajne to a bond; then they saw, about two miles in front of thorn, a white house. "There is the dawk-house," said Laalool eurtlv.*

Allport became a little cxcited. That, then, was the rendezvous where he was to meet- his comrade, and, as ho the lady to whom they both owed their lives.

They hurried forward, in spile of heat and dust.. As they nenrcd the bouse, iv man, who looked liko a native, rose quickly from a bamboo chair on tho verandah, and ran out to greet them. If was Jim I'radfield, and as the comrades once more gra-'.pcd hands they wore both for the moment overcome by a feeling of emotion tliev could not suppress. To greet cach other once more as free men, alter Ihe dangers and sufferings they had shared, wis to beget a feeling of thankfulness and gratit'ide that almost brought tears to their eyes. Jim was tlio first to speal:, and his fervency and sentimentwere' indicated by his exclamation; "Thank God, chum, tlia's coom!"

"God bless you! God protect n* both!" faltered Jasper. As they entered the'.bouse he asked, "Ts sur. bore, Jim?"

"Ave, lad, she's here, but I haven't had any talk with her. She's oopstairs, and I expect she's sleeping. But we arc all reet now, and we shall have to try and rcooii ourselves."

I.aalol here interposed with tho re-

' A dawk-home. it may be explained, was a traveller's rsfujo where shelter end refreshment- could be obtained. In the prerailway days they were common all over India, ami were kepi up by the Government. On the main high reads those houses were about 10 miles apart, that distance representing a' singe. Pidaquin-bearers—that is. t-lie coolies v.--ho here the palaquins. which r.i -the tin:? of tb-p mutiny were much, used—hod to traverse one of these stages; before they were relieved by c-lter coolies: while the post-dawks found fresh horses waiting tor them. The house indicated in the story was situnbd in a very lonely spot, on the high road to Xepaul. During the mutiny many of the dawkJiouse keepers deserted their posts, and the houses fell into ruins.

marl;: " There is much danger yet, and the sahibs may have to fight."

" Well, thai is a soldier's lot,'' said Atlporl, "but we've no weapons to light wit-li."

".Make tlise mind easy, corporal," Jim said. "There's a regular arsenal in this place. Thi> Itoiiso is in charge of a Goorkha, Sunkor Singh, who was in tho in my, but was invalided out. lie speaks a little English, and seems a bully chap. And lies got a son who knows a thifig or two, 1 toll thee."

As :hoy went up the steps to the verandah the Gooiiilia came out to greet tho new arrival. He was an excellent specimen of his rani—small, well knit, with the eyes of an eagle. He drew himself up and saluted in military fa-sliiun. Then the son joined the party. He was a youth about 18 or 19, with thews of steed. As the Gontka's English vocabulary was limited, he asked Laalool to explain that he and his son were proud to oi the loyal race. They had en.ien t heJohn Company's salt, and were true, and would be true to the Great White Queen. They had stuck to their post as keepers of the dawk-house so far, since the mutiny had broken out, though their lives had been threatened by bodies of rebels prowling about the country, murdering and looting wherever I hey could. The loyal natives particularly were singled out for vengeance, as they were donottned as enemies to the eause. Allport tool; Sunkcr Singh's hand, shaking it heartily. Then he shook hands with the son, jnd told them both that if he lived, and it was in his power to do so, he would see that their loyally did not go unrewarded. Stinker Singh's wife presided over the cooking arrangements of the house, and she had that morning been to a village thiee or four miles away, and procured materials for a oumptuons banquet. There was an uuiiqantcvi moorgi, which was promptly turned into curry, Tliere was a joint of kidllesh, and some vegetables, to say nothing of a quantity of luscious fruit; while the gudown of the house afforded an ample supply of English bottled alo and Exshaw's brandy. Here was a- feast for the gods!—at least, so thought Allport and "Brailfielil, whose appetites had not been pampered of lato, and when they rose from the table with a feeling that fate could not harm them for they had dinod, Hunker Singh produced a box of cheriots. This was indeed a superb rounding off to the feast. The two comrades repaired to the vcraii dab and made burnt-offerings to the goddess of nicotine. The house was situated in a very lonelv spot. It was practically in ihe heart of ihe jungle, through which the road had been carried, and stretched away iike a straight- kind both north and south as far as tue eyo could reach. Theday was dime. The lierce glare and heat had given place to the darkness and cooler air of night. Tho two men, as they puffed at. iheir cigars,. could not avoid a comparison of their condition at that moment with what it was a few days ago, and they owed the lcmarkablo change to an unknown woman, who had evidently perilled her own safety to 'Sorve them.

"Why?" The rjuest.ion was uppermost ill cach mind. So far she had )>ct>n a tantalising mystery. Apparently an Englishwoman, she nevertheless seemed to bo well ac(jnaintcd with native wavy, ancl knew the country well. And it was equally clear that she had been able to perfect arrangements lor fleeing tins captives in whom she displayed so much interest. Those arrangements had been carried through without a hitch. What was Urn secret, of her power, her influence? That she possessed power and inlluence was obvious.

For some time the comradcs remained vi'iy thoughtful. At' last AlJpurt broke the silence.

" liy the way, what became of tho old woman who left the village with you?'' he asked.

" Oh, she cleared out soon after we arrived here. 1 couldn't understand her lingo, bill according to Simker Singh she explained that she was going to t:co if the road to Cawnpore was open, and thai she would be back in two davs."

At this moment Singh came on In Hit; wfimrlali, and Jim questioned liiir. aOout 'the woman.

kite ba<l woman," lie answered.

"She soy: she hate (winghets. Yon make her dead when she como back." Allpoi't and Jim laughed. That was a measure to which they would only be disposed to resort- m case of extreme necessity. Curiously enough, within a lew minutes of this convcr.sit.ion, a dark figure was perceived moving along the (liist-wliiloiied road, mid that figtiro proved to he the very woman they hud been talking about. A? she came on to the verandah she peered into the faces of first one ami then the other. A lamp lning in the dining room, and its rays falling through the open window threw the comrades into prominence. She was evidently surprised at seeing another mail there, but rcenghising Jim, si# spoke to him, and he appealed to Stinker Singh to iirfeipret. " Slin says you are to go with her at once, and she'll conduct you to Cawnpore by a roundabout route," Singh explained. "Will she?" said Jim caustically. "Tell the old lady that she can go— well, tell her I shan't, want her services anv move."

All animated conversation ensued be. tween Smiker Singh and tiie old ling, who became very excitcd, and it- ended in her taking herself oil, evidently in high dudgeon.

As Singh was not- equal to explaining clearly in KugUsh what had transpired, 110 secured the services of Laalcol, who, having eaten his supper, had coiled himself up 011 a mat. 011 'the landing. He snowed that he was much concerned, lie gathered from what Singh had told him that the woman had recognised Allport as tho man who had remained as hostage with Mahomed Ally as a pledge that the bargain made with Jim should be duly carried out, (and realising that' Ally had hxn defeated she had gone away in a passion, vowing that everyone in the dawk-house should be killed. Allport and H'.adtield were not disposed In attach any seriousness to that threat, but Laalool and Singh took a very different view, and they advised that the mem-sahib, who, overcome by exhaustion, was sleeping soundly in a bed upstains, should ha consulted. To that- course the two soldiers strongly objected. Thev protested against her being disturbed under any riraiinsto.nr.es.

"If it- comes to fighting, we will light if wo've anything to light with," said Allport.

Singh explained that lie had quite a little arsenal, and he asked his visitors to accompany him to a godown at the back of the house. This thoy'did, and Allport was most- agreeably surprised to lind that there were lour or live Enlield rifles, wveral "Drown Bessies," some of .Mama's revolvers, a i'ew old cavalry

.'■words, and an old brass signalling cannon, weighing about 201b, together with . three or four cases oi ammunition of ; various kinds, fsingh did not conceal lijs | ;ii'.-duly that, owing to tho lawlessness ! I hen prevailing, and that largo numbers of Nana Sahib's rebel'troops who had dispersed 011 the arrival of Havelock at Cawnpore, were swarming in the sur•."iinding villages, Hie house might be at:a.!;t<l if the woman spread the news tlint 1.'.v0 English soldiers' were there. Nevertheless, it was decided that nothing could in; done that night, though Allport and ■ !liadfield, assisted by Singh, spent some hours cleaning and overhauling the vvca[VMS, sorting out the ammunition, loading ; the revolvers and rifles, and testing tho ; swords. This tusk completed, the liousi) i was mada secure for the night, and ; (everyone to bod. | (To be continued.)