ng the tribesmen. They revere him almost as much
as the great prophet himself. He has been listening to their
murmurings."

Carlyon paused. Raymond was watching him intently, but the quiet face
bent over his wound told him nothing.

"Had I known what was coming," Carlyon said, "so much as three days ago,
the women would not now be in the station. As things are, it would have
been impossible to weaken the garrison to supply them with an escort to
Akbar."

Raymond stifled a deep curse in his throat. Had they but known indeed!

Carlyon went on in his deliberate way: "I shall leave you in command
here to-night. I have other work to do. General Harford will be here at
dawn. The attacking force will be on the east of the camp. You will
crush them between you! You will stamp them down without mercy. Let them
see the Empire is ready for them! They will not trouble us again for
perhaps a few years."

Again he paused. Raymond asked no question. Better than most he knew
Carlyon of the Frontier.

"It will be a hard blow," Carlyon said. "The tribesmen are very
confident. Last night they watched a messenger ride eastwards on a white
horse. It was an omen foretold by the Heaven-sent when he left them to
carry the message through the hills to other tribes."

Raymond gave a great start. "The girl!" he said.

For a second Carlyon's eyes met his look. They were intensely blue, with
the blueness of a flame.

"She is safe at Akbar," he said, returning without emotion to the
knotting of the bandage. "The road was open for the messenger. The horse
was swift. There is one woman less to take the risk."

"I see," said Raymond quietly. He was frowning a little, but not at
Carlyon's strategy.

"The rest," Carlyon continued, "must be fought for. The moon is full
to-night. The Great Fakir will come out of the hills in his zeal and
lead the tribes himself. Guard the east!"

Raymond drew a sharp breath. But Carlyon's hand on his shoulder silenced
the astounded question on his lips.

"We have got to protect the women," Carlyon said. "Relief will come at
dawn."

X

SAVED A SECOND TIME

All through the day quiet reigned. An occasional sword-glint in the
mountains, an occasional gleam of white against the brown hillside;
these were the only evidences of an active enemy.

The women were released from durance in the club-house, with strict
orders to return in the early evening.

Derrick went restlessly through the camp, seek