Part 31 (2/2)

There were stars in the clear sky, and a crescent herin throat and nostrils

”the wise ifts is wine,” ca chorus from the tower It was the only sound that disturbed the silence--the silence of a world

”A night for regrets, Captain, yet one to speed aosie

”Yours has been too short to accuether very rapidly so shall we stay here?”

”Only until we have seen Vasilici and delivered ourwith our deosie ”And for the success of the scheme--how do you reckon the chances?”

”If I expected failure I should not be here”

”Your own ambition supplies the motive, then? There is no love for a cause behind?”

”Hush, lad; those are dangerous questions to ask a soldier If I know that reward awaits success, it is as certain that failure means death

Those who employ my sould not hesitate to sacrifice osie, you set out on a venture some enterprise when you joined my cohts will be just as full of stars as this is I wonder how it is that such a beautiful world is cursed to go so awry”

”Chiefly,about the beauty, but think only of using it as a plaything Let us go in again You should sleep before you go on duty” Some of the men had already stretched themselves cut in sleep, and there eariness in the slow speech of the others Only Anton seemed really awake, and he did not speak as the two entered the tower

”Here is the wine,” Grigosie whispered, handing the flask to Ellerey

”Drink to success in it, to success in war--and love”

CHAPTER XIV

THE TOKEN IS DELIVERED

The logs burnt low upon the hearth, and only a feeble light was in the tower Anton saw Ellerey drink the wine and then cast hiosie; but it was too dim for him to see whether all his companions were asleep Some certainly were, for they snored, and others were restless, for they shi+fted their positions at intervals and sighed heavily Where Ellerey and Grigosie were there was deep shadow, growing deeper as the fire died down One sleeper there was restless for a little while, and then his breathing proclaiht there was a darker shadoithin the shadohich moved quite silently, but he did not speak; he only listened very eagerly and raised himself on his elbow a little

Presently Anton slept too

Ellerey aith a start Some shock in a dream seemed to wake him, and as he raised himself his hand went to his breast, as it constantly did on waking The token lay there safely Then he leaned over toward Grigosie and stretched out his arm The lad's place was e suddenly fro that the lad was sentry part of the night

He lay down again, being heavy-eyed, but could not sleep The air was oppressive, and a dull pain was in his head as though a steel band were clasped tightly round his forehead The dreah his brain, and at last his restlessness proo out on to the plateau

The stars were still bright, but the crescent un, stood the ure of the sentry Ellerey did not wish to startle hihtly to let him know of his presence

The boy did not turn

”Grigosie”

”Is that you, Captain? I was just co to call you Watch thefor the moment, but wait, and look steadily”