on the side nearest the enemy, were completely closed by a bank of earth;
while those on the other side were also built up within a few inches of
the top, for shots and shell could equally enter them. The Warreners were
introduced to such of the garrison as were in, the greater part being at
work outside the house repairing a bank which had been injured during the
day. Then Mr. Johnson went to one of the rooms leading off the main
apartment. A curtain hung across it instead of a door, and this was now
drawn aside to allow what air there was to circulate.

"May I come in?" he asked.

"Certainly, Mr. Johnson," a lady said, coming to the entrance.

"Mrs. Hargreaves, let me introduce the Messrs. Warreners, the gentlemen
who have so gallantly come through the enemy's lines with the message.
They are to form part of our garrison."

The lady held out her hand, but with a slight air of surprise.

"I suppose our color strikes you as peculiar, Mrs. Hargreaves," Ned said,
"but it will wear off in a few days; it is iodine, and we are already a
good many shades lighter than when we started."

"How silly of me not to think of that," Mrs. Hargreaves said; "of course I
heard that you were disguised. But please come in; it is not much of a
room to receive in, but we are past thinking of that now. My daughter,
Mrs. Righton; her husband is with mine on guard at present. These are my
daughters, Edith and Nelly; these five children are my grandchildren. My
dears, these are the Messrs. Warreners, who brought the news from General
Havelock. Their faces are stained, but will be white again in time."