Page:Randall Parrish - The Red Mist.djvu/380

 360 her out under flag of truce," I said quietly, "to the protection of Captain Fox."

"That is really what I came back here for," he admitted, "and we haven't any time to spare. What say you, fair cousin?"

She stood between us, and before she answered her eyes sought both our faces.

"Is this asked of me on your account, gentlemen, or my own?"

"Your own, of course," he answered before I could speak.

"Then my choice is to stay." Suddenly I felt her hand on mine. "You will not refuse me this privilege, Tom?"

"No," reluctantly; yet at the same time strangely delighted at the prompt decision, "but I thought the other best."

Harwood laughed lightly.

"Again the blood," he said gaily. "Bah! so far as I was concerned the asking was mere form; the answer was already in the lady's eyes. But I must go back to my lambs."

"You have secured the door?"

"The best we can; braced it with benches solid to the wall. The wood will not resist long, but 'twill make an ugly abatis for the Yanks to clamber in over."