messengers. However, we must still keep a sharp lookout."

But no one else came along, and in a quarter of an hour they heard the
deep tramp of a body of men approaching, and Captain O'Connor soon
came up at the head of the company.

"Well, any news, gentlemen?" he asked as the two young officers
stepped out.

"Yes, Captain O'Connor. We have two prisoners--a girl and a boy. They
came along about ten minutes apart, both running at full speed and
evidently going with messages. We put the handcuffs on the boy's
ankles, and tied the girl's with our handkerchiefs."

"Sergeant, tell off two men and let them take these prisoners back to
the village, and guard them carefully till we return. They may as well
keep the handcuffs on the boy's ankles, and untie the girl's; but let
one of them keep a tight hold of her arm, and be sure that she doesn't
slip away."

Two men were told off for the duty, and the march was then resumed.
Daylight was faintly breaking when they reached the edge of the cliff.
Ralph, with ten men, was posted at the spot where a slight track was
visible going down into a sort of gulley. Captain O'Connor then
proceeded with half the company to the right, Desmond taking the
remainder to the left; each posting men at intervals along the edge of
the cliff, and placing parties of four at every point where there
appeared the smallest probability of an ascent being practicable.

All were ordered to load at once. They were to make prisoner any one
coming up the cliff, and in case of resistance to fire without
hesitation. The two officers then returned to the spot where they had
left Ralph. It was now nearly broad daylight. Leaving the soldiers
they went a short distance to a point where the rocks fell away
precipitately, and from here had a clear view of the face of the
cliffs.

"We had better wait here for a time," the captain said. "The chances
are that before long one of them will look out from their
hiding-place, and perhaps make his way up to the top to look round. If
he does, that will give us an index as to the direction at any rate of
their hiding-place. Now, I will take the ground in front; do you watch
to the left, Conway, and you to the right, Desmond. We had better lie
down, or on this jutting point we may catch the eye of any one down
there before we can see him. Keep a sharp lookout lads; it will save
us a world of trouble if we can see one of them."

For half an hour they lay quiet, then Desmo