, knowing that he had but to say
the word to destroy them all. "And she shall have company. I would
not have her lonely. Come, majesty; deign to follow your humble
servant." Umballa salaamed.

Kathlyn was led to a cell in the palace prison, whose walls she had but
a little while ago viewed in passing, and thrust inside. A single
window admitted a faint light. Umballa remained by the door, chuckling
softly. Presently, her eyes becoming accustomed to the dark, Kathlyn
discovered a man chained to a pillar. The man suddenly leaned forward.

"Kit, my Kit!"

"Father!"

She caught him to her breast in her strong young arms, crooned to him,
and kissed his matted head. And they stood that way for a long time.

At this very moment there appeared before the council a wild eyed,
disheveled young man. How he had passed the palace guard none of them
knew.

"A white woman was brought into this room forcibly a few minutes ago.
I demand her! And by the God of my father I will cut out the heart of
every one of you if you deny me! She is white; she is of my race!"

"There is no white woman here, Bruce Sahib."

"You lie!" thundered the young man.

Two guards came in quickly.

"I say you lie! She was seen to enter here!"

"This man is mad! Besides, it is sacrilege for him to enter our
presence in this manner," cried one of the council. "Seize him!"

A fierce struggle between the guards and Bruce followed; but his race
to the city and the attendant excitement had weakened him. He was
carried away, still fighting manfully.

In the meantime Umballa concluded that the reunion had lasted long
enough. He caught Kathlyn roughly by the shoulder and pulled her away.

"Behold, Colonel Sahib! Mine! I bought her this day in the slave
mart. Legally mine! Now will you tell me where that silver basket
lies hidden, with its gold and game?"

"Father, do not tell him!" warned Kathlyn. "So long as we do not tell
him he does not put us out of the way!"

"Kit!"

"Dad, poor dad!"

"Little fool!" said Umballa.

Kathlyn struggled to reach her father again, but could not. Umballa
folded his arms tightly about her and attempted to kiss her. This time
her strength was superhuman. She freed her hands and beat him in the
face, tore his garments, dragged off his turban. The struggle brought
them within the radius of the colonel's reach. The prisoner caught his
enemy by the throat, laughing insanely.

"Now, you black