two hours after noon
George might have returned to Nazri to wait ; it was the sort of docile thing that George would do . In any case not five miles from Nazri was the end of the north road and a little telegraph hut used by the Khautmi forts . The night would be full moonlight ; and by night the army would come . His watch had been stolen , but he guessed by the heavens that it was some two hours after noon . Five hours would bring him to Nazri at six , in another he might be at the hut before the wires were severed . It was a crazy chance , but it was his all , and meanwhile these grinning tribesmen were watching him like some curious animal . They had talked to him freely to mock his feebleness .