him pass out of my tent."

"Surely the Burra Sahib is mistaken," the man answered, respectfully but
firmly. "I have been here for an hour, and no one has passed from the
tent."

Puzzled and disconcerted, I was sitting by the side of my couch
wondering whether the whole thing were a delusion, brought on by the
nervous excitement of our skirmish, when a new marvel overtook me. From
over my head there suddenly sounded a sharp, tinkling sound, like that
produced by an empty glass when flipped by the nail, only louder and
more intense.

I looked up, but nothing was to be seen. I examined the whole interior
of the tent carefully, but without discovering any cause for the strange
sound. At last, worn out with fatigue, I gave the mystery up, and
throwing myself on the couch was soon fast asleep.

When I awoke this morning I was inclined to put the whole of my
yesternight's experiences down to imagination, but I was soon disabused
of the idea, for I had hardly risen before the same strange sound was
repeated in my very ear as loudly, and to all appearance as causelesly,
as before. What it is or where it comes from I cannot conceive. I have
not heard it since.

Can the fellow's threats have something in them and this be the warning
bell of which he spoke? Surely it is impossible. Yet his manner was
indescribably impressive.

I have tried to set down what he said as accurately as I can, but I
fear I have omitted a good deal. What is to be the end of this strange
affair? I must go in for a course of religion and holy water. Not a word
to Chamberlain or Elliott. They tell me I am looking like a ghost this
morning.

_Evening_.--Have managed to compare notes with Gunner Rufus Smith of the
Artillery, who knocked the old fellow over with the butt of his gun. His
experience has been the same as mine. He has heard the sound, too. What
is the meaning of it all? My brain is in a whirl.

Oct. 10 (four days later).--God help us!

This last laconic entry terminated the journal. It seemed to me that,
coming as it did after four days' complete silence, it told a clearer
tale of shaken nerve and a broken spirit than could any more elaborate
narrative. Pinned on to the journal was a supplementary statement which
had evidently been recently added by the general.

"From that day to this," it said, "I have had no night or day free from
the intrusion of that dreadful sound with its accompanying train of
thought. Time and custom have brou