Page:Randall Parrish - The Red Mist.djvu/269

 Rh  on the ground. I could perceive only a few tents, showing white in the firelight, but the figures of sentries appeared here and there, slowly pacing their beats. An oil street lamp in front of the hotel gave dim view in that direction through the tangle of wagons parked between. A footpath led straight across, to a gate in the white picket fence, and a motionless figure stood there silhouetted against the light. I could not be sure, yet was convinced he must be a soldier on guard. Had I been alone I should have crept forward beneath the shadow of the wagons, and thus endeavored to slip by unseen, but I was conscious of the hand which grasped my sleeve, and my eyes fell to her face.

"You are my guide tonight," I whispered softly. "Have you some plan already devised? There must be instant action."

"Hardly that; this has all occurred so quickly, so unexpectedly, I have had no time in which to think. Only we—we cannot lose a moment. Those men will surely be found soon, and—and the dance must be nearly over. Isn't it best to go straight ahead, and run the chance?"

"Past the guard yonder?"

"Yes; I am not greatly afraid of him! we have the word, and Captain Fox and I were together when I passed here before. He will remember me,