"Do you still try to dissuade me?" he asked at length.
"Not at all, sir," replied the other. "I was only thinking of the escort. If they mean murder over there they'll mean it the more the more of you there are."
"Why?"
"Supposing they intend to go for us, they'll wait till all the passes are closed, and we're cut off. In that case they'll hardly give away their game now, unless they get a chance to cripple us."
"Twenty men would be enough?"
"Ample," said Terrington. "And I'd keep as many of them outside as possible."
"Yes; and you might pick some of your own men for the job."
Terrington's face hardened. His men were his children, and he hated to let them run a risk which he could not share.
"In that case I'd ask the honour of going with you, sir," he said.
Sir Colvin shook his head.