Regardless now of precaution, he lifted such voice as remained to him in a would-be lusty hail; and as an answering shout came from above he wasted no further time, but seized the rope and began--painfully now, for he was exhausted--to haul himself slowly up, cheered on by Garnett's hearty congratulations from above.
* * * * *
"By Jove, that was a close call!" Once safely inside the building, the dangling rope pulled through the window after him, Anstice collapsed on the rough stone floor and mopped his brow feebly.
"I should say so!" The resourceful Australian had already produced a tiny flask of brandy. "Here, take a pull at this, and you'll feel better in a second. And when you've recovered, if you'll explain the meaning of the shooting-match, I'll be thankful to you."
Between his gasps Anstice described the chase and its subsequent ending; and Garnett's eyes shone with an unholy lust for battle as he listened.
"Good on you!" He clapped the other man on the shoulder with a heartiness which was almost painful. "Well, we'll have the hornet's nest about our ears in no time now; but at least we've got you back safe and sound, and with a bit of luck we'll hold out grandly till the reinforcements come!"
"How is Cheniston?" Anstice rose as he spoke and slipped the goat-skin from off his shoulders. "Anything happened since I've been away?"
"Not that I know of--but I believe he was pretty bad a while ago." Garnett's face clouded. "Jolly rough luck on his wife, isn't it? She's so young, and so plucky, and I see you expect the poor chap to peg out."
"I think I'll go and see him," said Anstice slowly, the exhilaration dying from his manner; and as Garnett pulled aside the rough curtain which covered the doorway he stepped on to the uneven stone floor without.
And then he came to a pause; for Iris was coming towards him; and her face wore a curiously stricken look which made his heart miss a beat.
"Mrs. Cheniston--you want me? Is your husband worse?"
For a moment she did not reply. Then: "He is dead, Dr. Anstice," she said quietly. "He died ten minutes ago--just after I heard those two shots----"
"Dead?" Although he had half expected the news, Anstice found it hard to believe. "Mrs. Cheniston, are you sure? May I come and see? You might--possibly--be mistaken."
"I am not mistaken," she said, and for a second a pitiful little smile touched her white lips. "Bruce is dead--but come and see for yourself. I ... I am glad you are safely back, Dr. Anstice."