Agar was white and breathless. It was as if she had bartered her
soul, and after payment, had been tricked out of her share of the
bargain. She trembled with a fear which seemed to fill her world and
extend to the other world to come.
"He escaped from that action," said Arthur, who, now that the truth was
out, grew voluble like a child making a confession, "by being sent on in
front with a few men. They escaped notice, while the larger body was
attacked and massacred."
"Who told you this?"
"I do not know. I cannot tell you his name."
"Arthur!" exclaimed Mrs. Agar nervously, "are you going mad? Do you know
what you are saying?"
In reply he gave a little laugh like a sob.
"Oh yes," he replied, "it is all right. I know what I am saying, though
sometimes I scarcely believe it myself. If it was a hundred years ago one
might believe it easily enough, but now it seems unreal."
"Then where is Jem? Was he taken prisoner? Those men are savages, aren't
they? They kill--people when they take them prisoners.
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