“Yes, he has gone. I have seen him over the wall; and it was much better that he should go without any fuss. He went off just as quietly and unconcernedly as if he had been going out for an ordinary evening’s walk. Now I am going up onto the roof. I don’t say we should hear any hubbub down at the lines if he were discovered there, but we should certainly hear a shout if he came across any of the sentries round the house.” “Has he taken any arms, Doctor?” the Major asked. “None whatever, Major. I asked him if he would not take pistols, but he refused.” “Well, I don’t understand that,” Captain Forster remarked. “If I had gone on such a business I would have taken a couple of revolvers. I am quite ready to take my chance of being killed fighting, but I should not like to be seized and hacked to pieces in cold blood. My theory is a man should sell his life as dearly as he can.” “That is the animal instinct, Forster,” the Doctor said sharply; “though I don’t say that I should not feel the same myself; but I question whether Bathurst’s is not a higher type of courage.” “Well, I don’t aspire to Bathurst’s type of courage, Doctor,” Forster said, with a short laugh. But the Doctor did not answer. He had already turned away, and was making for the stairs. “May I go with you, Doctor?” Isobel Hannay said, following him. “It is very hot down here.” “Yes; come along, child; but there is no time to lose, for Bathurst must be near where they are likely to have posted their sentries by this time.” “Everything quiet, Wilson?” he asked the young subaltern, who, with another, was on guard on the roof. “Yes; we have heard nothing except a few distant shouts and noises out at the lines. Round here there has been nothing moving, except that we heard someone go out into the garden just now.” “I went out with Bathurst,” the Doctor said. “He has gone in the disguise of a native to the Sepoy lines, to find out what are their intentions.” “I heard the talk over it, Doctor. I only came up on watch a few minutes since. I thought it was most likely him when I heard the steps.” “I hope he is beyond the sentries,” the Doctor said. “I have come up here to listen.” “I expect he is through them before this,” Wilson said confidently. “I wish I could have gone with him; but of course it would not have been any good. It is a beautiful night--isn’t it, Miss Hannay?--and there is scarcely any dew falling.” “Now, you go off to your post in the corner, Wilson. Your instructions are to listen for the slightest sound, and to assure us against the Sepoys creeping up to the walls. We did not come up here to distract you from your duties, or to gossip.” “There are Richards and another posted somewhere in the garden,” Wilson said. “Still, I suppose you are right, Doctor; but if you, Miss Hannay, have come up to listen, come and sit in my corner; it is the one nearest to the lines.”