ng sword of the victor.

Another fierce face at the window--a pair of hawk-like eyes flashing
haughty challenge, a sinewy hand raising a revolver in deliberate
aim--and Hassan's shot rang out, so swiftly that this man too fell back,
disabled, his face disappearing from the window as one runs a film off a
reel of pictures.

But there were others--many others--to take his place. Up and up they
came till there was a whole phalanx of enemy faces, eyes flashing, white
teeth gleaming in horrid snarls ... shot after shot rang out, but by
marvellous luck none touched the defenders, who on their side emptied
their revolvers as fast as Iris' fingers could make them ready.

Suddenly a gigantic man half sprang over the sill and without attempting
to fire seized Anstice by the wrist in a grip of iron, whose marks
disfigured him for weeks to come. His intention was obvious--by holding
Anstice a prisoner he hoped to make opportunity for others to force an
entrance; and as Anstice had involuntarily dropped the revolver as the
steel-like fingers crushed his wrist, the fate of the little garrison
hung, for a second, in the balance.

"Iris--shoot--quick!" Quite unconscious of the name he used Anstice
raised his voice in a desperate shout; and the girl heard and obeyed in
the same breath.

Lifting the revolver she had just loaded she fired once, twice, with
fingers which did not even tremble; and the next moment with a loud
gurgle the Bedouin released his hold and fell back through the window,
dislodging the men who were clambering up the ladder behind him, so that
they fell together in a confused mass into the courtyard below.

For a second there was a breathing-space; and Anstice turned to Iris
with gleaming eyes.

"My God, you have a nerve!" His breath was coming in quick pants. "Mrs.
Cheniston, I can't thank you--I never dreamed that even you would be so
plucky."

"It wasn't pluck--it was just--obedience," she said, and though her face
was very pale she smiled bravely up at him. "Dr. Anstice, are
there--many more to come? You have disabled a good many, haven't you?"

"Between us, yes." He was cool again now, and picked up his revolver as
he spoke. "They seem to be hanging back a bit--and to judge by the row
Garnett's making I should say he's doing pretty well too."

Bang! A bullet whizzed suddenly by Iris' head; and Anstice pulled her
hastily into a safer place.

"Here they come back again!" His tone was almost boyishly gl