The Servian, with his eyes fixed upon the tree behind which
his adversary had sought shelter, grew anxious, and thrust his head
forward warily.
Then he heard a sound as of some one running through the wood to the left
and behind him, but still the man he had grappled on the horse made no
sign. It dawned upon him that the three shots fired in front of him had
been a signal, and in alarm he turned toward the gate, but a voice near
at hand called loudly, "Oscar!" and repeated the name several times.
Behind the Servian the little soldier answered sharply in English:
"All steady, sir!"
The use of a strange tongue added to the Servian's bewilderment, and he
fled toward the gate, with Oscar hard after him. Then Armitage suddenly
leaped out of the shadows directly in his path and stopped him with a
leveled revolver.
"Easy work, Oscar! Take the gentleman's gun and be sure to find his
knife."
The task was to Oscar's taste, and he made quick work of the Servian's
pockets.
"Your horse was a good despatch bearer. You are all sound, Oscar?"
"Never better, sir. A revolver and two knives--" the weapons flashed in
the moonlight as he held them up.
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