"Barricade that gate. Sharp as you know how. They won't give us long."
"Is that you, Carlyon?" he called doubtfully, leaning over the parapet and peering into that grey mystery of dawn.
The figure he saw, a woman in a white dress and a scarlet mess jacket, made him doubt the evidence of his own eyes. But the answer in a woman's voice, with a quick breath in it, sent his back in something between a laugh and a sob.
"Then he isn't here! Oh! what can have become of him?"
There was no doubt that this was a woman!
[CHAPTER XXVII]
L'ADDIO DEL MARITO
Once outside, where they could discern friend from foe, the troopers instantly realized their mistake, and rallied round Roshan.
But it was too late for that now. As he stood, centring them, there was a wild contempt, a vague relief, in his face. He knew now where his sympathies lay. Not with these men, treacherous to their salt, but with those who could hold--who had held--their own against all odds. Yes! even with that dead figure, still with its back to the door that must not be opened.
The thought stung and seared like hot iron.