Nothing, as we shall imagine, could have been more congenial to Bertie, who, ever since he heard the terrible news from Jhansi, had been longing ardently for a brush with the rebels. Helped by Subdul Khan, whose ability and devotion were beyond praise, he succeeded in finding the head quarters of the army. On his way, through a series of accidents, which there is not space to record here, he discovered the whereabouts of Dost Ali Khan's fort, and when a body of troops of all arms were detached to capture it, he was given the command of the cavalry. And so it came about strangely that the first face Tom saw that day was the face of a friend. All need for disguise being, for the moment, over, he had thrown aside the turban which he habitually wore, and washed the dye from his face, which was fearfully haggard and as pale as death. With his two servants behind him, he was standing in one of the covered enclosures that still remained intact, when Bertie, walking in advance of his soldiers, with his drawn sword in his right hand, and his left grasping his revolver, marched by. He saw him, recognised him in an instant, and, breaking into an exclamation of surprise, called upon his men to halt. Tom joined him, smiling sadly. 'I am afraid you will find nothing but ruins here,' he said. 'The few who were left of the garrison escaped.' Then he pointed to his two men. 'They are my servants. They will be safe?' 'Perfectly. I will leave two or three men to guard them in case of mistakes. We are fearfully savage.' 'God knows I can understand that. Come on! I will lead you,' said Tom. 'But how do you come to be here?' 'I came to find Miss Elton. She was taken prisoner.' 'Good God!' cried Bertie. 'You don't mean to tell me--Heavens, man!--what a fright you gave me! A prisoner? Not here, surely?' 'I hope not. I hope not. And yet--good heavens! what am I saying? I know for certain that she came here. I was told, only just before the alarm, that she was sent away--sent away with a soubahdar, who had a grudge against her father. It may be false--God in heaven grant that it is.' 'His name?' said Bertie, his brow darkening. 'Sufder Jung. Do you know anything about him?' 'Only that he was one of General Elton's pets.' 'The General wounded him,' said Tom, 'and he came here, vowing vengeance. I have it from Dost Ali Khan, who allowed him to seize Miss Elton and bring her here. She was one of my Nowgong fugitives--my servant had rescued them. They were within a day's march of Gumilcund. The others came in----' His voice broke. 'Hold up, old man!' said Bertie huskily. 'Do you mean to tell me that Dost Ali Khan gave her up?'