“What is it?” I questioned swiftly.  “An attack in front?”

“It’s the big guns, sorr; be gorry, they’re goin’ to shell us out, an’ whar the hell was them reinforcemints, Oi’d loike to know!”

“So would I. If it’s artillery we may as well hoist a white flag.  Here, my lad, let me look.”

A glance was sufficient.  Just within the gate, barely beyond reach of our weapons, with a clear stretch of lawn between, was a battery of four guns, already in position, the caissons at the rear, the cannoneers pointing the muzzles.  Back of these grim dogs was a supporting column of infantry, leaning on their muskets.  There was no doubting what was meant.  Angered by loss, Chambers had dragged these commands out of the battle to wipe us clean.  He was taking no more chances—­now he would blow the house into bits, and bury us in the ruins.  What should I do?  What ought I to do?  The entire burden of decision was mine.  Must I sacrifice these men who had already fought so desperately?  Should I expose Billie to almost certain death?  Surely we had done our full duty; we had held the house for hours, driving back two fierce assaults.  The fault was not ours, but those laggards out yonder.  I would tell Mahoney and Miles I was going to put out a white flag; that further resistance was useless.  Miles!  With remembrance of the name I recalled where the man was—­down below searching for the murderer.  I sprang back, passing Billie and her guard, and flung open the door.

“Miles,” I cried into the silent darkness, “we need you up here at once.”

There was just a moment of tense waiting, and then a gruff voice sounding afar off,

“I can’t, sir, I’ve got him.”

CHAPTER XXVI

THE LAST STAND

I had no time to answer, no opportunity to even realize what was meant.  There was a fiendish roar, a crash that shook the house to its very foundations, sending us staggering back against the walls.  I remember gripping Billie closely, and seeing her white face, even as I warded off with uplifted arm the falling plaster.  The soldier was on his knees, grovelling with face against the floor.  A great jagged hole appeared in the opposite wall, and I could see daylight through it.  My ears roared, my brain reeled.

“Lie down,” I cried, forcing her to the floor.  “Both of you lie down!”

“And you—­you!”

I caught a glimpse of her eyes staring up at me, her arms uplifted.

“I am going to stop this,” I answered, “and you must stay here.”