Quietly and quickly, once more after twenty-five years, troops were being concentrated at Nowshera for a rush over the passes into Chiltistan.

But even so Ralston was urgent that the concentration should be hurried.
He sent a letter in cipher to the Resident at Kohara, bidding him to expect Shere Ali, and with Shere Ali the beginning of the trouble.
He could do no more for the moment.

So far as he could see he had taken all the precautions which were possible.

But that night an event occurred in his own house which led him to believe that he had not understood the whole extent of the danger.
It was Mrs.Oliver who first aroused his suspicions.

The four of them--Ralston and his sister, Linforth and Violet Oliver were sitting quietly at dinner when Violet suddenly said: "It's a strange thing.