"
It was a lie, no doubt. Hyde had recognised him as a very different
person.
"Ask him what brings him into our lines?" said Sir Colin, when this
answer had been duly interpreted.
"I came to give valuable information to the Lords of the Universe," he
replied. "The Russians are on the move."
"Ha!" Sir Colin's interest was aroused. "Go on; make him speak out.
Say he shall go free if he tells us truly all he knows."
"Where are the Russians moving?" asked McKay.
"This way"--the man pointed back beyond Tchorgorum. "They are
collecting over yonder, many, many thousands, and are marching this
way."
"Do you mean that they intend to attack us?"
"I think so. Why else do they come? Yesterday there were none. All
last night they were marching; to-morrow, at dawn, they will be here."
"Who commands them?"
"Liprandi. I saw him, and they told me his name."
"This is most important," said Sir Colin; "we must know more. Find
out, sergeant-major, whether he can go back safely."
"Back within the Russian lines?"
"Exactly. He might go and return with the latest news."
"You would never see the fellow again, Sir Colin. He is only
humbugging us--"
"Put the question as I direct you," interrupted the general, abruptly.
"What we want is information; it must be got by any means.
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