Ethel hastened to the spot, in time to see the door thrown open, and two ragged figures, black with smoke and grime, enter the house. A loud cheer was raised as the door was shut and barricaded. "Ted!" she joyfully cried. "You, Ted?" To our hero's embarrassment she stepped forward and kissed his smoke-begrimed countenance. Yes, Ensign Russell had escaped! Strange to say, he and Havildar Ambar Singh, the other survivor, had been the nearest to the magazine when the explosion occurred, and yet they had escaped its worst effects. The havildar had pluckily waited for the ensign when the others ran for safety, and, as they dashed out of the room, they crashed into the thick of the triumphant pandies. But no attempt was made to kill them. The rebels had pulled up short as they saw and heard the spluttering powder, wild terror in their eyes; and the foremost tried to back away from the spot. The crush was too great, however, though Ted and Ambar Singh had time to bore their way into the crowd. They remembered no more. When they came to themselves it was dark, and they were lying amid a heap of killed and injured men, with stones and bricks scattered all around. They were both cut and badly bruised, and Ambar Singh's foot was crushed. In the darkness they had been able to steal away, stumbling over dead bodies and wrecked masonry, until they found themselves in the open. So great was the awe that had come upon the rebels that the neighbourhood was deserted, so they crept stealthily through the streets, the havildar nearly dead with pain. Accosted once or twice, Ambar Singh had answered, passing himself and his companion off as rebels. As Ted was speaking the plucky Rajput sergeant fainted away, and was carried to the hospital-room. Munro interrupted the congratulations and showers of questions by ordering everyone to lie down again, except the guards. Ted at least was not sorry to obey the command. Next day he told the tale of the defence of the fort, of the death of Lowthian, and of the heroism of Ambar Singh and his Rajputs. Men and women forgot their own danger for a space, and crowded round to listen to the ensign's story. No need to say that he was silent respecting Tynan's willingness to surrender to Pir Baksh. He used the word "we", not "I", throughout. "But who first thought of destroying the magazine?" asked the commandant. "You say 'we' decided to do it. The thought would not occur to both Tynan and yourself at once." Ted admitted that the plan was his; also, in reply to the next question, that it was he who had fired the train. "But it was Tynan's job as senior officer to do that." "Well, you see, sir, I was the one to--to suggest it; so it was only fair that I should carry it out." "Humph!" said the major, who had his own opinion about the affair. "You're a plucky fellow, Russell, and it's possible that you've saved us all. The pandies seem thoroughly disheartened to-day." Paterson passed his arm through Ted's and whispered: