y not we
three men?"

"They would be suspicious at once. They would reason, if they saw
Kathlyn Mem-sahib and my wife with us that we were harmless. Will you
trust me?"

"Anywhere," said the colonel. "But they will simply make us prisoners
along with the elephant."

"Ah, but the Colonel Sahib forgets the opium." Ramabai laid his hand
upon the colonel's arm. "Let them make prisoners of us. The very
first thing they will do will be to search the saddle-bags. They will
find the opium. In a quarter of an hour they will be as dead and we
can return."

"It is a good plan," said Bala Khan, when the conversation was fully
translated to him. "And once the elephant is back in the compound I'll
send a dozen men back for the rogues. Ah! they will play with me; they
will steal into my town, overcome my guards, take the apple of my eye!
Ramabai, thou art a friend indeed. Haste and Allah fend for thee!
Umballa may arrive with an army, but he shall not enter my gates."

Guided by a servant, Bruce and Ramabai set off for the opium den. The
proprietor understood exactly what they desired. There were times when
men entered his place who were in need of a long sleep, having money
tucked away in their fantastic cummerbunds.

So, mounted upon five swift camels, the party started off on a wide
circle. Whether they caught the brigands at the well or on the way to
their mountain homes was of no great importance. Ramabai was quite
certain that the result would be the same. The colonel grumbled a good
deal. Supposing the rascals did not smoke; what then?

"They will smoke," declared Ramabai confidently. "The old rascal of
whom we bought the opium has entertained them more than once. They are
too poor to own pipes. Have patience, Colonel Sahib. A good deal
depends upon the success of our adventure this morning. If I know
anything about Umballa, he will shortly be on the march. Bala Khan has
given his word."

Had it not been for liberal use of opium the night before, the brigands
would not have tarried so long at the well; but they were terribly
thirsty, a bit nerve shattered and craved for the drug. The chief
alone had fully recovered. He cursed and raved at his men, kicked and
beat them. What! After all these weeks of waiting, to let sleep stand
between them and thousands of rupees! Dogs! Pigs! Did they not
recollect that Bala Khan had a way of nailing thieves outside the walls
of his city? Well, he for o