outside the grounds and headed toward the mill, "keep the whole
party moving as rapidly as possible."

Yet Darrin was not afraid for himself, for he halted while the
party hastened forward, scanning the darkness to his rear. Seeing
the ensign standing there alone, Riley and half a dozen sailors
came running back.

"I'm afraid you're headed the wrong way, Riley," smiled Dave.
"I hear there is a large force behind us, and we must embark
as rapidly as possible."

"It won't take us long to tumble into the launch, sir," the coxswain
replied, doggedly, "but we won't leave our officer behind. We
couldn't think of doing it."

"Not even under orders?" Darrin inquired.

"We'd hate to disobey orders, sir," Riley mumbled, looking rather
abashed, "but-----"

"Hark!" called Dave, holding up a hand.

Back of the flowering hedge he heard the swift patter of bare feet.

Out of the darkness came a flash of a pistol shot. It was answered
instantly by a ragged but crashing volley.

Long tongues of flame spat out into the night. The air was full
of whistling bullets.