Unable to enter the Residency through the press, Jack could only watch events unfold. He saw a Guides havildar push the gate shut and other Guides, some in uniform, others in plain clothes, rush to the walls. One sepoy ran through the high arch of the inner door, past the assembled cavalry horses, and closed the external doorway.
After that, Jack could not see inside the courtyard until, inexplicably, a Guides cavalry sowar re-opened the outer gate. The mob of Heratis, with the hangers-on from the city, bazaar riff-raff and people there merely out of curiosity, thrust into the compound, yelling, demanding money, or just staring.
“Hold your fire!” Jack heard Hamilton"s order above the hubbub of the crowd. “Don"t fire on these unarmed men!”
Jack took his chance and joined the mob, chantin
