they have not made up their minds to mutiny, and I shall be able to go to
mess with a lighter heart; as I told you yesterday, it is the colonel's
birthday, so we all dine at mess."

In the meantime Saba had faithfully carried out her commission as to the
dresses, and had added to the bundles a bottle containing a brown juice
which she had extracted from some berries; this was to be used for
staining the skin, and so completing the disguise. The Warreners knew that
if their old nurse had any information as to any intended outbreak she
would let them know; but she heard nothing. She was known to be so
strongly attached to the major's family that, had the other servants known
anything of it, they would have kept it from her.

The hour for the mess-dinner was eight, and the young Warreners had
finished their evening meal before their father started.

"God bless you, my children, and watch over and protect us all till we
meet again!" such was the solemn leave-taking with which the major and his
children had parted--if only for half an hour--since the evil days began.

For an hour and a half the young Warreners and their cousin sat and read,
and occasionally talked.

"It's time for tea," Kate said, looking at her watch; and she struck a
bell upon the table.

Usually the response was almost instantaneous; but Kate waited two
minutes, and then rang sharply twice. There was still no reply.

"He must be asleep," she said, "or out of hearing; but it is curious that