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 Markov was now driving at a very rapid rate, the road was much better, and I felt my spirits rise as we covered the ground quickly. Every yard gained safely made the prospect of escape more hopeful.

"Spernow should have joined us by now," said Zoiloff again presently, as we were breathing the horses up a steep hill.

"We have been travelling much faster since we changed conveyances, and his cattle may be a bit stale," I replied, trying to reassure him.

"I'm afraid something's going wrong with him. It's not like him to play the laggard in this way. Can he have been overtaken by Kolfort's men and surprised?"

"Scarcely that. We've got a picket thrown out behind and he'd have warning. If there was any sign of danger, I told him to close up with us at once, so that we could make a stand together. One or two of the horses may have given out."

"I don't like it," said Zoiloff; and when we reached the top of the hill we turned and looked back along the white road, searching eagerly for some sign of Spernow's coming. We saw nothing, and the doubts which made Zoiloff's face so grave began to affect me.

"I am inclined to go back," he murmured.

"We can't spare you, Zoiloff," said I quickly. "If anything is wrong with him, you alone can do no good; and if anything is to go wrong with us, we are too few already for safety."

"I could find out what it means."

"Or be cut off yourself;" and with that we resumed our ride, my companion's face unusually gloomy and thoughtful.

"How far are we from Sofia, Markov; and when do you turn off?" I asked, riding up to him.

"About five miles from the city, your Honour, a