There was a sound of voices, and people came into the compound.
That was strange, for Walter coming home late, in order not to disturb her, took pains to be quiet.
Two or three persons ran swiftly up the wooden steps and came into the room next door.
Kitty was a little frightened.
At the back of her mind was always the fear of an anti-foreign riot.
Had something happened?
Her heart began to beat quickly.
But before she had time to put her vague apprehension into shape someone walked across the room and knocked at her door.
"Mrs. Fane."
She recognized Waddington's voice.
"Yes.
What is it?"
"Will you get up at once?
I have something to say to you."
She rose and put on a dressing-gown. She unlocked the door and opened it.
Her glance took in Waddington in a pair of Chinese trousers and a pongee coat, the house-boy holding a hurricane lamp, and a little further back three Chinese soldiers in khaki.
She started as she saw the consternation on Waddington's face; his head was tousled as though he had just jumped out of bed.
"What is the matter?" she gasped.
"You must keep calm.
There's not a moment to lose.
Put on your clothes at once and come with me."
"But what is it?
Has something happened in the city?"
The sight of the soldiers suggested to her at once that there had been an outbreak and they were come to protect her.
"Your husband's been taken ill.
We want you to come at once."
"Walter?" she cried.
"You mustn't be upset.
I don't exactly know what's the matter.
Colonel Y #252; sent this officer to me and asked me to bring you to the Yamen at once."
Kitty stared at him for a moment, she felt a sudden cold in her heart, and then she turned.
"I shall be ready in two minutes."
"I came just as I was," he answered.
"I was asleep, I just put on a coat and some shoes."
She did not hear what he said.
She dressed by the light of the stars, taking the first things that came to hand; her fingers on a sudden were so clumsy that it seemed to take her an age to find the little clasps that closed her dress.
She put round her shoulders the Cantonese shawl she had worn in the evening.
"I haven't put a hat on. There's no need, is there?"
"No."
The boy held the lantern in front of them and they hurried down the steps and out of the compound gate.
"Take care you don't fall," said Waddington. "You'd better hang on to my arm."
The soldiers followed immediately behind them.
"Colonel Y #252; has sent chairs.
They're waiting on the other side of the river."
They walked quickly down the hill.
Kitty could not bring herself to utter the question that trembled so horribly on her lips. She was mortally afraid of the answer.
They came to the bank and there, with a thread of light at the bow, a sampan was waiting for them.
"Is it cholera?" she said then.
"I'm afraid so."
She gave a little cry and stopped short.