What should he do?
Give the alarm down-stairs he could not, without compromising Katrine.
Alarm the nocturnal visitors?
That would be to give up a chance of getting hold of the clue.
What should he do?
Be a coward, or, now that the opportunity had come, make a bold effort to capture these intruders?
Three to one. Yes; but he was in the fort, and they had to attack, and could he secure one, bribery or punishment would make him tell all.
There was the sound going on at the window, which was resisting the efforts, and, with palpitating heart and heavy breathing, Capel asked himself the questions again. Should he be cowardly, or brave, and make a daring effort to gain that which was his, from the information these people could give?
There was a grating and clicking still going on as he stepped cautiously across the room, the sound guiding him to the stand where his uncle’s old East India uniform and accoutrements were grouped, and the next minute his hands rested upon a pistol.
Useless, for it was old-fashioned and uncharged.