She turned impetuously to Dermot and stretched out her arms to him.

“You won’t let them take me, will you?  Oh, say you won’t!” she said with a little sob.

He took both her hands in his.

“No, little girl, I won’t.  Not while I live.”

“You’ll kill me first?  Promise me.”

“On my honour.”

She gave a sigh of relief and, strangely content, sank back into her chair.  But she still held one of his hands clasped tightly in both of hers.

“Well, that’s pretty well all there is to tell, Major,” her brother went on.  “I came back here, and the servants and I tried to put the house into a state of defence.  No one’s come near us so far.”

“So Chunerbutty was at the head of affairs here.  I thought so, I suppose the someone is that scoundrelly Rajah.  He’ll make his conditions known and, if you don’t surrender, they’ll attack us.  Now, let’s see what we’ve got as garrison.  We two and the servants—­seven.  How are you off for weapons?  I left my rifle behind.”

“The servants have got their rifles and plenty of ammunition.  I have a double-barrelled .400 cordite rifle and a shot-gun.  If it comes to a scrap I’ll take that and leave you the rifle.  You’re a much better shot; and I can’t miss at close quarters with a scatter-gun.”

“Do you think there’s any hope for us?” asked the girl quietly.

“Frankly, I don’t.  I’d not put it so bluntly, only I’ve seen you in a tight corner before, Miss Daleham, and you weren’t afraid.”

“I am not now,” she replied calmly.

“I believe we’d hold off these coolies, aye, and the Rajah’s soldiers too, if they came.  But we may have the Chinese troops on us at any minute; and that’s a different matter.”

“But why should you stay with us, Major Dermot?” said the girl anxiously.  “As you got in through these men, surely you could escape the same way.”

“I’ll be candid with you, Miss Daleham, and tell you that if I could I would.  For it’s my duty to go on and report.  But I’m stranded without my elephant, and even if I had him it wouldn’t be much good unless I had Payne’s car.  And what has happened here must have happened on the other gardens.  Without the motor I’d be too late with my news.  So I’ll stay here and take my chance.”

Then he laughed and added: 

“But cheer up; we’re not dead yet.  If only I’d Badshah I’d take you both up on him and we’d break through the whole Chinese Army.”

The girl shook her head.

“We couldn’t go.  We couldn’t leave those poor women and children and the servants.”

“I forgot them.  No; you’re right.  Well, I haven’t lost all hope.  I have great faith in old Badshah.  I shouldn’t be surprised if he got us out of this scrape, as he did before.”

“Oh, I forgot him.  I believe he’ll help us still,” cried the girl.  “Where did you leave him?”

“He left me.  He’s quite able to take care of himself,” replied Dermot grimly.  “Now, Daleham, please take me round the house and show me the defences; and we’ll arrange about the roster of sentry-duty with the servants.  Please excuse me, Miss Daleham.”