"When?"
"Yesterday."
"May I see the despatch?"
"I am sorry--it is of a private nature."
Raven turned away, and went up to the window. When he looked round, after the lapse of several minutes, his face was almost livid in its pallor.
"This means that my hands are to be tied completely. If there is any renewal of the riots, and the police are not strong enough to suppress them, I am powerless, and the town is to be given over to the mercy of the mob."
Wilten shrugged his shoulders.
"I am a soldier, and must obey, as your Excellency knows."
"Assuredly you must obey--that I quite see."
Another uncomfortable pause followed. The Colonel seemed to be thinking how he could effect a diversion; but Raven forestalled him.