"The Palári!" cried Walcot derisively. "Why, it's the worst pass on this side of the Pamir. May I ask why you've chosen it?"
"Have you been through the Palári or Darai?" Terrington enquired.
"No."
"Then you can hardly appreciate why I've chosen it," said Terrington quietly. "The Palári is the only one which we've a chance of reaching without being cut off; it's the only one not commanded from above at this time of year, and Freddy Gale, holding this end of it at Rashát, is absolutely done for unless we dig him out."
His reasons were listened to by the room in absorbing silence. Then Walcot blurted out:
"Is this a council of war?"
"No," said Terrington; "it's an opportunity for protest. I wished to put your advice on record, but I didn't propose to take it."
Walcot thereupon declared himself emphatically in favour of remaining in Sar; Dore followed him less assertively. Clones gave a shrug of his shoulders.
"It's all one to me where I doctor you," he smiled.
Terrington turned to the two men beside him, who had sat, immovably attentive, throughout the discussion.