Rising from his chair, he seized the aerograph and signalled to his yacht for instant succour.
"Die, then!" said the Prince; "here's the death of a dog for you!"
He clapped his hands as though in the Eastern manner calling a servant. Then the door swung open and Gloucester, Captain of the Guard, strode into the room.
He seemed astonished, this old, grizzled soldier—over-astonished.
"Trooper Ali!"
The trooper rose and saluted.
"Who let you out of the guard-room?"
The trooper turned his slow gaze on Brand, and Gloucester, following the direction of his eyes—
"Mr. Brand," he cried, "have you harboured this prisoner?"
Now, Brand was sitting with the aerograph upon his knee signalling rapidly for help. Gloucester's very presence was ignored by this commoner.