He nodded, and passed a handkerchief across his forehead, for he had come at lightning speed.
"A raid of sorts—out Hangu way. Can't tell if it'll be a big thing or not. The whole garrison's ordered out."
It was a matter of seconds, and he spoke in a breathless rush.
"I dashed on ahead to give you a few instructions. Olliver is ordering Griselda to be saddled and brought across at once. If the affair looks serious we'll send an orderly back to fetch a doolie from the hospital, come on here for you and the Boy, and see you safely to the Fort, where you must stay till further orders. Get all possible necessaries together, and be ready to leave at a moment's notice."
"If we move him to-night, Theo, 'twill be—the end of it all."
A spasm of pain crossed his face.
"I hope to God it mayn't be necessary. But we must take our chance of that. It won't be safe for you to have a light in the house, with every door open, and the city full of budmashes. [24] Can you manage with just a night-light carefully screened?"
"Sure I can. I'll manage to see with me fingers well enough!"
"Right! Amar Singh'll sit outside the door. He'll not sleep a wink, I promise you."