as a ferret, and he saw easily that Jem Agar despised his step-brother
with that cruel contempt which strong men feel for weak.

"Mother's darling?" he suggested.

"Yes, that is about it," replied Agar. He was too simple, too innately
upright and honest to perceive the infinite possibilities opened up by
the fact upon which General Michael had pounced.

"In case you decide to accept my offer," the older man went on, "you
would wish your stepmother and step-brother to be told?"

"Yes, and one other person."

"Ah, and another person. You could not limit it to two?" urged the
General.

"No!" replied Agar with a decision which the other was wise enough to
consider final. Moreover, the General omitted to ask the name of this
third person, urged thereto by one of those strokes of instinct which
indicate the genius of the commander of men.

General Michael, moreover, deemed it prudent to carry the matter no
further at that moment. He rose from his seat on the bed, stretched his
lithe limbs, and said:

"Well, this won't do! We must get to work. I propose retreating
to-morrow morning at daylight."

They passed out of the tent together and proceeded to give their orders,