a moment longer! Ahmed, to the wall!"

The colonel and Ramabai had left the zenana by one of the windows
overlooking the passage which ran past the garden of brides. They had
had no trouble whatever in reaching the elephants. But the subsequent
waiting for Kathlyn had keyed them all up to the breaking point. The
pity of it was, they dared not stir, dared not start in search of her.
Had it been leopards only, Bruce would have made short work of it; but
it would have been rank folly to have gone in search of the girl. If
she had been made captive, she needed their freedom to gain her own.
Besides, the council of both Ahmed and Lal Singh was for patience.

Ahmed had the greatest faith in the world in Kathlyn's ability to take
care of herself. Think of what she had already gone through unscathed!
Kathlyn Mem-sahib bore a charmed life, and all the wild beasts of the
jungles of Hind could not harm her. It was written.

And then Bruce discovered her upon the wall. It took but a moment to
bring the elephant alongside; and Kathlyn dropped down into the howdah.

"A narrow squeak, dad," was all she said.

"Let us get on our way," said the colonel hoarsely. "And remember,
shoot to kill any man who attempts to stop us. My Kit!" embracing
Kathlyn. "Perhaps the escape of the leopards is the luckiest thing
that could have happened. It will keep them all busy for an hour or
more. Since Umballa believes you to be dead, he will be concerned
about my disappearance only. And it will be some time ere they learn
of my escape. Forward, Ahmed! This time . . ."

"Don't, father!" interrupted Kathlyn. "Perhaps we shall escape, but
none of us is sure. Let us merely hope. I'm so tired!"

Bruce reached over and pressed her hand reassuringly; and the colonel
eyed him as from a new angle.

"Good!" he murmured under his breath; "nothing better could happen. He
is a man, and a tried one, I know. Good! If once we get clear of this
hell, I shall not stand in their way. But Winnie, Winnie; what in
God's name will that kitten be doing all these terrible weeks? Will
she try to find us? The first telegraph office we reach I must cable
her under no circumstances to stir from home. Ahmed," he said aloud,
"how far are we from the nearest telegraph station?"

"Three days, Sahib."

"Shall we be obliged to stop at the gate to change our mounts?"

"No, Sahib; only to take supplies enough to last us."

"Lose as little time as yo