e rajah
will, in his anger, send up and have me brought down and executed.
I think the chances are in my favour. The fellow is evidently
crafty, or he would not have persuaded Ochterlony that he was
friendly towards us; and I think he will hold me as a sort of
hostage so that, if Holkar is defeated, he may make favourable
terms for himself by offering to surrender me."

It was not until an hour later that Harry heard a party ascending
the stairs. When the door opened, he saw that two of the men
carried torches. Abdool, who was in the rear, closed the door
behind him, and then said, "Now sahib!" and struck down the man in
front of him with his tulwar.

Harry had risen to his feet, as he heard the men coming; and had
braced himself up for a spring, when Abdool gave the word. With a
blow straight from the shoulder, he struck the man carrying the
dish senseless to the floor; tore the sword from his sash; warded
off a hasty blow delivered by one torch bearer, who was too much
astonished at the sudden attack to act with decision, and cut him
down; while, at the same moment, Abdool almost severed the neck of
the other.

"Thanks, Abdool," Harry said, grasping his follower's hand, "you
have saved my life!"

"Not yet, sahib. Our work has but begun. There are other dangers to
be met. However, the arrival of the rajah has been fortunate. The
news he has brought has--but first, let me finish the man you
knocked down."

"There is no occasion for that. Tear his sash into strips, and bind
his hands and feet; and gag him with his own turban.

"Now, what is our next step?"

"I have a rope round my body, sahib, to lower ourselves on to the
ramparts. I am wearing an extra suit of clothes, so that you can
get up as one of the garrison. I think we have plenty of time, for
it is not likely that these men will be missed. Everyone is too
excited by the news, that Holkar has failed to take Delhi, to
notice whether we return or not."

He took off the outer garment that he had brought with him, while
Harry removed his uniform and attired himself in it and, placing
the turban of one of the soldiers on his head, possessed himself of
a shield, spear, and dagger, and then said:

"What next, Abdool?"

"We will put out these torches, sahib,"--these were still burning
on the floor--"the light might be noticed from below, and they
might wonder why we stayed here so long."

"Are there any guards on the walls?"

"No, sahib; they have them