Ethne had a
question to ask, but it was some time before she could trust her lips to
utter it distinctly and without faltering.
"What will happen to him?"
"At the best, capture; at the worst, death. Death by starvation, or
thirst, or at the hands of the Dervishes. But there is just a hope it
might be only capture and imprisonment. You see he was white. If caught,
his captors might think him a spy; they would be sure he had knowledge
of our plans and our strength. I think that they would most likely send
him to Omdurman. I have written to Calder. Spies go out and in from Wadi
Halfa. We often hear of things which happen in Omdurman. If Feversham is
taken there, sooner or later I shall know. But he must have gone mad. It
is the only explanation."
Ethne had another, and she knew hers to be the right one. She was off
her guard, and she spoke it aloud to Durrance.
"Colonel Trench," said she, "is a prisoner at Omdurman."
"Oh, yes," answered Durrance. "Feversham will not be quite alone. There
is some comfort in that, and perhaps something may be done. When I hear
from Calder I will tell you. Perhaps something may be done."
It was evident that Durrance had misconstrued her remark.
Pages:
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269