Draw Swords! Part 49

"No, sahib," said Ram Dad. "It's the Sahib Darrell, all cover, and come off."

"Bring up a lantern, some one," cried Wyatt out of the window.--"But, d.i.c.k, my lad, no one could get to your window from below."

"I told you he came from above."

"That you didn't."

"Well, I meant to. He lowered himself from the top."

"May I come in, gentlemen?" said a familiar voice outside the door.

"Yes, yes, come in," cried Wyatt; and Acting-lieutenant Stubbs, in shirt and trousers, entered, with a drawn sabre in one hand, and a lantern in the other.

"Hah!" cried Ram Dad, making two jumps over the floor of the disordered room, to come down like a frog upon something before rising up again and displaying a peculiar-looking, glittering knife. "Smell of oil, sahib,"

he said.

Wyatt caught the keen, sharp-pointed weapon, and raised it to his nostrils.

"By Jove!" he said hoa.r.s.ely. "d.i.c.k, dear boy, you've had a narrow escape. Dropped, I suppose, in the tussle."

"And look here," said d.i.c.k eagerly; "my pyjamas are soaked with the beastly stuff."

"Better than being soaked with blood, sir," said the sergeant in a low, deep voice, and he ran to the windows.

"There's a fellow somewhere, my lads," he cried. "Yes, yes; search the roof-terrace," cried Wyatt. Then, as the men made for the staircase, he turned to d.i.c.k. "I beg your pardon, old lad," he whispered; "but are you sure you are not hurt?"

"Only wrenched about and stiff. I shall have a nice lot of bruises about me."

"Never mind the bruises; get your pistols," said Wyatt.--"Tell them to fire, Stubbs, if they see the brute and he doesn't give in."

"Yes, sir; but I don't see how he could have got here. No one could pa.s.s the gate, and it's impossible from outside without a ladder."

"Then whoever it was must have used a ladder," said Wyatt, who was busily loading the pistols. "Off with you, Stubbs, with half-a-dozen men, and go round outside. But I expect he has made his escape by now."

Lights were seen on the fortified roof, the men having started from the gate-tower in both directions, careful search being made till they met and crossed, each party searching the place in turn, while the examination was going on below; and this went on for an hour, and long after Stubbs had carefully examined all round outside.

"It's lucky for him," said Wyatt at last.--"There, dismiss the men, Stubbs; but double the guard, though there's not likely to be another attempt to-night. And I say, you might say a word or two--not coming from me--about the smart way in which the lads turned out on the alarm."

"If you wish it, sir, I will," said Stubbs, frowning.

"Well, why not?"

"Turn the lads' heads too much, sir. They're proud and vain enough as it is."

"Very well, never mind. Good-night."

"Good-night, sir."

Wyatt was left alone now with d.i.c.k, and, light in hand, the first thing he did was to close and fasten the windows, and then carefully examine the rooms and stairs, before telling the men to lie down again.

"Why, d.i.c.k," he said suddenly, "I never thought to tell Hulton and the doctor what was going on. Let's go and tell them now."

They took the light and went gently to the room shared by the two convalescents, to find that people still weak from old injuries sleep deeply. For in each case, undisturbed by the sentry's carbine, the noise of the search, and the flitting about of lights, there lay the two, sleeping as placidly as children, making their friends step back gently on tiptoe, to laugh softly together as they went back to their own quarters, where Wyatt became serious directly.

"Can you sleep after this?" he said.

"Oh, yes, I think so," replied d.i.c.k; "I feel very tired now."

"It means being half-smothered in future, old fellow," said Wyatt, "for I shall never care to rest with my window open again."

d.i.c.k laughed softly.

"I don't think I shall ever try to stop a fellow coming on such a mission as this. Better let him have what he likes. But, I say: I shall keep that knife. He will not come to fetch it, will he?"

"If he does I hope I shall be awake so as to have a shot at him. My word, d.i.c.k, you have had an escape!"

"Well, don't tell me so again; it sets a fellow thinking so."

"All right."

"I say, what time is it?" Wyatt looked at his watch.

"Half-past three. This is going to be a short night's rest."

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.

A DISTURBED NIGHT.

Wyatt related the night's experience to Hulton and the doctor over breakfast the next morning, and then the matter dropped, for there was plenty to think about and do.

The Rajah had to be consulted about the forming of a couple of well-drilled regiments of cavalry, as suggested by the general, and for whose disciplining the two sergeants were on their way.

He took to the idea eagerly, and suggested that a beginning should be made at once; and as the days went on the officers found that they had volunteers enough for four regiments of well-mounted men; but there was a difficulty in the way, for every one wanted to ride in the front rank, and resented being called upon to ride behind his fellows.

But this was got over, and the drilling went on.

d.i.c.k was busy enough, and now he spent a good deal of spare time at the palace with the Rajah, who would have had him twice as much if his duties would have allowed it.

"I don't mean to let you go too often, d.i.c.k," said Wyatt. "The Rajah's all right, but I've noticed some rather doubtful looks being cast at his favourite."

"Meaning me?" said d.i.c.k.

"Meaning you. It's wonderful what a lot he thinks of you, poor fellow."

"Poor fellow?"