On the farther side of the bed, Desmond, in gauze vest, and belted trousers, mopped his forehead, and drew a long breath. Then, measuring out a tablespoonful of raw-meat soup, he slipped a hand under the dark head on the pillow. "Lenox, dear chap, drink this, will you?" he said, speaking as persuasively as a mother to a child. Lenox obeyed automatically. For a mere instant his lids lifted, and recognition gleamed in the eyes that seemed to have retreated half-way into his head. Then, with an incoherent murmur, he settled himself into a more natural attitude of rest; and the two men watching him intently, exchanged a nod of satisfaction. The Pathan, sitting back on his heels, fumbled at his belt for a pellet of opium. "He will sleep now, Huzoor, like a day-old babe; and the Presence will sleep also. Since yesterday at this time your Honour hath taken no rest; and there be three hours yet to parade-time." "Good. We have fought a tough fight, thou and I, and be sure Lenox Sahib will know of thy share in it. Wake me at half-past five." "Huzoor." Zyarulla salaamed profoundly; and Desmond, dropping with fatigue, flung himself, even as he was, on to a chair-bed in the adjoining dressing-room, and slept the dreamless sleep of exhaustion. Before six he was over at Meredith's bungalow, sitting on the edge of his wife's bed, drinking tea with an egg in it,--her own prescription,--and enjoying her delight at his news. "Good enough, isn't it?" he concluded heartily. "I'll take the telegraph office on my way back." "And _I'll_ come over to breakfast, bag and baggage!" "Capital. If John agrees." "Of course he will. He's not such a fidget as you are!" "Glad to hear it; if it means getting you back; and both rooms shall be disinfected to-day, Lord, but it's a weight off my mind!" And he cantered down to the Lines in such a mood of exaltation as they know who have been privileged to fight for a human life, and win. Honor got her own way, as she always did; and half-past nine found her back at her deserted post behind the teapot. Desmond fancied that she looked paler than usual; that her cheerfulness was veiled by a shadow of constraint. But as Paul was present, enjoying his first normal breakfast, he contented himself with scrutinising her, when her attention seemed to be taken up elsewhere. As a matter of fact, Honor knew precisely how often he looked at her; and, womanlike, hugged his solicitude to her heart. For there had been moments, in the past two days, when the traitorous thought would obtrude itself that perhaps the child needed her most after all.