Roy gave a gasp.

Should he call to the little Heir-to-Empire and let him know that a friend was near, that help might come?
No! perhaps he did not realise his danger.

It was better to let be.
So gathering all his forces for a last effort, he dashed into the open for the final five minutes' run.

And there could be no dodging here.
Every loophole of the bastion was, he knew, crammed with the matchlocks of many marksmen.

And there was now, worse luck, little darkness to cover him! "Three minutes more, friend!" said Sumbal boastfully, "and thou shalt see what thou wilt see.