"Hush, dear, hush!" she said soothingly. "That is nonsense. We must know what has happened, at once."
"Let him tell you, then; it won't hurt you like it hurts me." And disengaging herself, she went over to the verandah doorway, and stood there, looking out into the sunshine; her back to the room; her small hands clasped; every nerve strained to miss no word of what was passing behind her.
Honor turned promptly on Paul, an anguish of suspense in her eyes.
"Is it—the worst?"
"No—no—not that," he reassured her hastily.
"Tell me everything, please."
"I only know bare facts; the news came by helio. It seems there was a sharp hand-to-hand engagement. The Boy and some of his men were taken by surprise. Just as Theo reached them Denvil was—killed!"
A stifled sound broke from Evelyn.
"And—Theo?" Honor's low voice seemed to come from very far away.
"Theo has been badly cut about. Four wounds. The most serious is a bullet wound in his face—close to the right eye. They seem afraid that he may possibly—lose his sight."