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 "My instructions have come over the wires, and within the last few minutes; and they are imperative not to allow you to pass until the General himself or those he is sending shall arrive. If you will dismount I will try to make the delay as little irksome as possible, though one's resources in a God-forsaken place like this are not abundant."

"Do you mean you wish to arrest me?" I asked quickly.

"Certainly not. You are at liberty to return if you please; my instructions are merely not to allow you to pass the frontier."

"Quiet, mare!" I called to my horse, which was fidgeting and plunging restlessly, as I touched her secretly with my heel, making it difficult for him to lay his hand on the bridle. Then I laughed as if the thing were a joke, and I gave Zoiloff a look. He understood it, and began to edge his horse so as to leave room for me to pass.

"It's very ridiculous," I said to the officer, who had drawn a little away from me, "but I suppose there's no help for it; and in any case I shall be glad of some breakfast."

"I shall be delighted to be your host," he replied, without a suspicion of my intention; and he called to one of the men to come and hold my horse.

This made the gap in their rank larger than ever; and, causing my horse to fidget and strain at the bit, I suddenly slackened the reins, plunged my heels into her flanks, and darted away up the hill as fast as she could gallop.

"Hallo! She's run away with him!" said Zoiloff; and he wheeled round and dashed after me.

It was some seconds before the officer realised how