The whole guard flung themselves against the door, shoved it
shut, and shot the bolt.
"I warned you, sir," said the panting corporal. "Better leave him until
morning. He's a regular devil!"
"He is no more a devil than you are, corporal," said Barry, in a loud,
clear voice. "He is one of the best men in the battalion. More than
that, he is my friend, and if he spends the night there, I spend it with
him."
So saying, and before any one could stop him, Barry shot back the bolt,
opened the door, and with his torchlight flashing before him, stepped
inside.
"Hello, McCuaig," he called, in a quiet, clear voice, "where are you?
It's Dunbar, you know."
He drew the door shut after him. The corporal was for following him, but
the M. O. interposed.
"Stop out!" he ordered. "Stay where you are! You have done enough
mischief already."
"But, sir, he'll kill him!"
"This is my case," said the M. O. sharply. "Fall back all of you, out of
sight!"
Together they stood listening in awestruck silence, expecting every
moment to hear sounds of conflict, and cries for help, but all they
heard was the cool, even flow of a quiet voice, and after some minutes
had passed, the sound of moans, mingled with a terrible sobbing.
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