compound. They ran quickly to the gate and
noiselessly unbarred it. Outside were five more desert nomads,
gathered about the insensible bodies of the sentries.

These nine men were the dancers who had entered the town in advance of
Kathlyn. For weeks they had lain in wait for this moment. They had
spied upon the three low caste keepers and upon learning of their
nocturnal junkets into the opium den had cast the die this night.

With the utmost caution they approached the sacred elephant, took off
his chains and led him from the compound. Immediately six of the
marauders trotted far ahead toward the gate they knew to be the least
guarded. The sacred elephant, passing through the streets, attended by
three men, aroused no suspicions in any straggler who saw. So remote
was the walled city, so seemingly impregnable, and so little interfered
with that it was only human that its guardians should eventually grow
careless.

When the keepers, straggling under the fumes of the drug, returned near
daybreak, first to find the gate open, second to find their sacred
charge gone, they fled in terror; for it would be death, lingering and
painful, for them to stay and explain how and why they had left their
post.

The wild and lawless brigands knew exactly what they were about. There
were several agents of European and American circuses after this white
elephant, and as it could not be purchased there was no reason why it
could not be stolen.

When the Brahmin arrived at sunrise to find his vocation gone he set up
a wailing which awakened the household. The Khan was furious and
ordered a general search. He vowed death to the foul hands which had
done this sacrilege!

Kathlyn and the others were genuinely sorry when they heard the news.
They were in the armory when the Khan announced what had taken place.

Said he: "Come, you are all skilled hunters. Find me my elephant and
these guns and newer and surer ones shall protect you from Durga Ram,
should he take it into his head to come this way."

The colonel, Bruce and Ramabai set off at once. After they had gone a
camel rider entered the compound and sought audience with Bala Khan.
Kathlyn and Pundita were in the compound at the time and the former was
greatly interested in the saddlebags, attached to one of which was a
binocular case. Kathlyn could not resist the inclination to open this
case. It contained an exceptionally fine pair of glasses, such as were
used i