enough. Cinders would permit no brawling among his betters if he could by
any means prevent it. With tail cocked and every hair bristling, he
rushed into the fray, barking aggressively.

With a cry of dismay Chris rushed after him, and in that instant the man
facing her raised his eyes involuntarily and shifted his position. The
next instant he lunged frantically to recover himself, failed, and with a
violent exclamation received his adversary's point in his shoulder.

It all happened in a flash, so rapidly that it was over before either
Chris or Cinders had quite reached the scene. Bertrand whirled round
fiercely, sword in hand, anger turning to consternation in his eyes as he
realized the nature of the interruption.

Chris had a confused impression that the whole party were talking at once
and blaming her, while they buzzed round the wounded man, who lay back in
the arms of one of them and cursed volubly, whether Bertrand, Cinders,
or herself she never knew.

She had the presence of mind to snatch up her belligerent favourite, who
was snapping at the prostrate officer's legs; and then, for the first
time in her life, an overwhelming shyness descended upon her as the full
horror of her position presented itself.

"I couldn't help it, Bertie! Oh, Bertie, I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, in
an agony of contrition.

There was a very odd expression on Bertrand's face. She did not
understand it in the least, but thought he must be furious since he was
undoubtedly frowning. If this were the case, however, he displayed