it is stamped out; and in another year I may be a
full-blown colonel, if only an Egyptian one; and as the pay of the
English officers is good, I shall be able to have a very comfortable
home for you.

"I need not repeat my instructions, darling, as to what you must do in
the event, improbable as it is, of disaster. When absolutely assured of
my death, but not until then, you will go back to England with the boy,
and see my father. He is not a man to change his mind, unless I were to
humble myself before him; but I think he would do the right thing for
you. If he will not, there is the letter for Geoffrey. He has no
settled income at present, but when he comes into the title he will, I
feel quite certain, make you an allowance. I know that you would, for
yourself, shrink from doing this; but, for the boy's sake, you will not
hesitate to carry out my instructions. I should say you had better
write to my father, for the interview might be an unpleasant one; but
if you have to appeal to Geoffrey, you had better call upon him and
show him this letter. I feel sure that he will do what he can.

"Gregory."

A month later, a messenger came up from Suakim with a despatch, dated
October 3rd. The force was then within a few days' march of El Obeid.
The news was not altogether cheering. Hordes of the enemy hovered about
their rear. Communication was already difficult, and they had to depend
upon the stores they carried, and cut themselves off altogether from
the base. He brought some private letters from the officers, and among
them one for Mrs. Hilliard. It was short, and written in pencil:

"In a few days, Dear, the decisive battle will take place; and although
it will be a tough fight, none of us have any fear of the result. In
the very improbable event of a defeat, I shall, if I have time, slip on
the Arab dress I have with me, and may hope to escape. However, I have
little fear that it will come to that. God bless and protect you, and
the boy!

"Gregory."

A month passed away. No news came from Hicks Pasha, or any of his
officers. Then there were rumours current in the bazaars, of disaster;
and one morning, when Annie called upon Lady Hicks, she found several
of the ladies there with pale and anxious faces. She paused at the
door.

"Do not be alarmed, Mrs. Hilliard," Lady Hicks said. "Nizim Pasha has
been here this morning. He thought that I might have heard the rumours
that are current in the bazaar, that there has b