"Take off these bandages. They hurt my arm."

"My lord, no. The doctor would be angry."

"So shall I be, if you do not take them off," I cried. "My arm is like
fire."

It was quite true, for the excitement at my sudden movement had started
the wound stinging and aching.

"It might bleed horribly," said Salaman, humbly. "Let me loosen the
bandage, sahib."

"Very well," I replied sulkily, quite satisfied now that whoever had
been outside the canvas had had plenty of opportunity to get away; and I
lay patiently enough, while my attendant loosened and re-tied my
bandages before leaving me once more to lie wondering whether I should
have another visitation that night, and fervently hoping that whoever it
was would take care not to be seen.

I lay awake for hours, but there was not another sound; and at last
exhaustion had its way, and I slept till quite late, angry with myself
for my drowsiness, and determined not to close my eyes that night.

In the course of the day I sought an opportunity to examine the tent in
the direction from which the sound had come, and had there been any
doubt in my mind as to whether I had dreamed I had heard a voice, it was
now dispersed, for about the height of my shoulder there was a slit
about an inch long just sufficient for any one to apply his lips to the
opening and speak.

No rajah that day, which was, I think, the longest I ever spent. Toward
afternoon I summoned Salaman.

"Look here," I said. "I am sure the rajah does not wish me to be
treated as a prisoner."

"No, sahib."

"Then give me my sword again."

"Thy servant has it not," replied Salaman.

"Then fetch me another."

"His highness gave me no commands."

"But I do," I said simply. "Let me have one at once."

"Thy servant grieves that he must disobey my lord," said the man humbly.
"He cannot do this thing."

"Go!" I said angrily, though I knew the man was not to blame.

"My lord is angry with his servant," he said humbly. "If he brought him
a sword, he might cut his servant down, and try to escape; but it would
be vain, for every part is strictly watched."

I turned away in misery, for, with the place so firmly watched, how were
my friends to reach me?

Toward evening, when it was cooler, I went for a stroll, but soon turned
back, for the loathsome figure of the filthy old fakir rose from among
some bushes with his hands raised, cursing me volubly, and I was glad to
get back to my tent and lie d