Chapter 4
AS CLAVERDON stared up at the woman he was acutely conscious of the growing tumult outside. There were wild cries, voices shouting muddled information, and even whilst he stood wandering what to do a sharp, authoritative rapping sounded on the door. That way of egress was barred beyond all question, and what other way there might be he could only guess, and had little time for finding out. He called out reassuringly to the woman, who, instead of replying, turned and fled, leaving them in utter darkness, and as she did so the rapping on the door commenced anew.
There was need for instant action, and he took it.
With a sudden swing of his arm he drove the man whom he had questioned to the floor; then he whispered to the Tibetan— 'This way, Nima. Give me your hand.'
Together the
