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He might warn Bardur, but before anything could be done the enemy would be upon them. And then there would be a southward march upon a doubtful and half-awakened country, and then he knew not. But there was one other way. It had not occurred to him before, for it is not an expedient which comes often to men nowadays, save to such as are fools and outcasts.

But I know enough of the place to know that every man who comes over the frontier to Bardur does not come by the high-road." "But what could happen? Surely Bardur is strongly garrisoned enough to block any secret raid." "It isn't bad in its way, if the people were not so slack and easy.

"I always knew it. I've told Holm a hundred times, and now here is the beggar away sick and I am left to pay the piper." "I know. I met him in Bardur, and that's why I'm here. He told me to tell you to mind the north gate." "More easily said than done. We're too few by half here if things get nasty. How was the chap looking?" "Pretty miserable. Thwaite and I put him to bed.

The river, which made a poor show in the broad channel at Bardur, was now, in this straitened place, a full lipping torrent of clear, green water. Lewis bathed his flushed face and drank, and it was as cold as snow. It stung his face to burning, and as he walked the heartsome glow of great physical content began to rise in his heart. He felt fit and ready for any work.

Thwaite was strong enough in Bardur, but the town might give him trouble of itself, and he was not a man of resources. After Bardur there was no need of thought. Two hours after the telegraph clicked in the Nazri hut, the north of India would have heard the news and be bestirring itself for work. In five hours all would be safe, unless Bardur could be taken and the wires cut.

Doubtless he thought that now he would be enjoying the rest after labour at Forza, flattering himself on saving a garrison, when all the while the force poured down which was to destroy an empire. An army from the north, backed and guided by every Border half-breed and outlaw what hope of help in God's name was to be found in the sleepy forts and the unsuspecting Bardur?

A little after midnight, when the stars were picked out in the deep, velvet sky, Fazir Khan and the stranger, both muffled to the ears, stole beyond the street and scrambled down the perilous path-ways to the south. Towards the close of a wet afternoon two tongas discharged Lewis, George, two native servants, and a collection of gun-cases in the court-yard of the one hotel in Bardur.

"Many people since Haystoun's book," said the other. "I have just glanced at it. Is there anything important in it?" "Nothing that we did not know before. But things are put in a fresh light. He covered ground himself of which we had only a second-hand account." "And he talks of this Bardur?" "A good deal. He is an expert in his way on the matter and uncommonly clever.

"You know Bardur and the country about there pretty well?" Lewis nodded. "Also I once talked to you about a man called Marka. Do you remember?" "Yes, of course I do. The man who went north from Bardur the week before I turned up there?" "Well, there's trouble brewing thereabouts. You know the Taghati country up beyond the Russian line.

It is the devil's own business, but it has got to be faced. We must warn Bardur, and trust to God that Bardur may warn the south. You know the telegraph hut at the end of the road, when you begin to climb up the ravine to the place? You must get down there at once, for every moment is precious." George had listened with staring eyes to the tale. "I can't believe it," he managed to ejaculate.