John Buchan

“ Sandy's interest in ordinary things was beginning to flicker up again. He studied the map and began to measure distances.
'Peter's going to have a try for it. He thinks there's a sporting chance of his getting through the lines. If he does—if he gets this map to the Grand Duke's staff—then Stumm's goose is cooked. In three days the Cossacks will be in the streets of Erzerum.'
'What are the chances?' Sandy asked.
I glanced at Peter. 'We're hard-bitten fellows and can face the truth. I think the chances against success are about five to one.'
'Two to one,' said Peter modestly. ”

“ They'd follow me through hell if I bade them, but they would rather it was my own show.'
'That's all right,' I cried. 'It is the one thing I've been doubtful about. Now observe this map. Erzerum isn't invested by a long chalk. The Russians are round it in a broad half-moon. That means that all the west, south-west, and north-west is open and undefended by trench lines. There are flanks far away to the north and south in the hills which can be turned, and once we get round a flank there's nothing between us and our friends ... I've figured out our road,' and I traced it on the map. ”

“ I will cut my throat first.'
'Cheer up!' said Blenkiron soothingly. 'We'll find some prettier way than that.'
'There is no way,' he said; 'no way but death. We're done for, all of us. Hussin got you out of Stumm's clutches, but you're in danger every moment. At the best you have three days, and then you, too, will be dead.'
I had no words to reply. This change in the bold and unshakeable Sandy took my breath away. ”

“ There was no light in the place but Blenkiron's electric torch, for Hussin had put out the lantern. Peter got his nose into the things at once, for his intelligence work in the Boer War had made him handy with maps. It didn't want much telling from me to explain to him the importance of the one I had looted.
'That news is worth many a million pounds,' said he, wrinkling his brows, and scratching delicately the tip of his left ear. It was a way he had when he was startled.
'How can we get it to our friends?'
Peter cogitated. 'There is but one way. A man must take it. ”

“ You aren't going to reveal yourself to your people, and still less are you going to cut your throat. Greenmantle will avenge the murder of his ministers, and make that bedlamite woman sorry she was born. ”

“ Sandy sat down and pondered. Thank heaven, he was thinking now of action and not of his own conscience.
'It must be done,' he said at last, 'but it won't be easy. Hussin's a great fellow, but as you know well, Dick, horses right up at the battle-front are not easy to come by. Tomorrow I've got some kind of infernal fast to observe, and the next day that woman will be coaching me for my part. We'll have to give Hussin time ... ”