the road as though searching for something.

"Peters," he asked sharply of the fellow on guard, "where are Sergeant
Steele and the rest of the squad?"

The soldier addressed saluted in a manner that convinced me he was of
the regular service.

"They are resting out of the sun in that clump of bushes down the hill,
sir."

Brennan glanced in the direction indicated.

"Very well," he said. "Take your prisoner down there, and tell the
Sergeant to press on at once toward the lower road. We shall follow
you, and the lady will ride his horse."

The man turned, and with peremptory gesture ordered me forward. As I
drew closer to where the two waited beside the open door, I lifted my
head proudly, determined that neither should perceive how deeply I felt
the humiliation of my position. As I thus passed them, my eyes fixed
upon the shining road ahead, my ears caught a word or two of indignant
expostulation from her lips.

"But, Frank, it is positively shameful in this sun."

He laughed lightly, yet his answer came to me in all clearness of
utterance. I believed he wished me to overhear the words. "Oh, it will
only prove of benefit to his brains, if by rare chance he possesses
any."