There fell a terrible silence--a pause, as it were, of suspended
vitality, while the iron bit deeper and deeper into tissues too numbed
to feel.

Then, "Fetch me a drink!" said Merryon, curtly. "I must be getting back
to duty."

And with soundless promptitude the man withdrew, thankful to make his
escape.




CHAPTER XI

THE SACRED FIRE


"Well? Is she all right?" Almost angrily the colonel flung the question
as his second-in-command came back heavy-footed through the rain. He had
been through a nasty period of suspense himself during Merryon's
absence.

Merryon nodded. His face was very pale and his lips seemed stiff.

"She has--gone, sir," he managed to say, after a moment.

"Gone, has she?" The colonel raised his brows in astonished
interrogation. "What! Taken fright at last? Well, best thing she could