Dick Blaine drew the horse back on his haunches and cursed the man
for that piece of impudence, in language and with mannerisms that
banished forever any delusions as to his nationality; and it occurred to
the officer that his extra complement of men, standing in a row like
dummies at attention, were not there after all for nothing. He despatched
two of them at a run to Gungadhura's palace, the one to tell the story
of what had happened and the other to add to it whatever the first might
omit. Between them they were likely to produce results of some sort.

"Now we're done for!" sighed Tess. "No chance tonight, I'm afraid.
If only I'd done what she told me to and consulted with Tom Tripe first.
Better drive home now, Dick, before we make the case worse."

The unreasonableness of the attempt convinced and discouraged her.
It was like a nightmare. But as Dick reined the horse about there came
out of the mist the sound of another horse at a walk, and two men
marching in step. Then a man's voice broke the stillness. Dick reined in,
and a second later Trotters' huge paws rested on the shaft again.
Tess could see his long, unenthusiastic tail wagging to and fro.

"Tom!" she called. "Tom Tripe!"

"Coming, lady!"

Three figures emerged out of the gloom, one of them mounted and loquacious.

"I'd like to know what these rascally guards are doing off their post!
Give these sons of camp-followers an inch and they'll take three leagues,
every mother's son of them! Halt, there, you! Now then, where's your