etails of escape. Ahmed would be given charge
of the exit, Lal Singh of the road, and Ali (Bruce's man) would arrange
that outside the city there should be no barriers. All because Ramabai
thought more of his conscience than of his ambitions for Pundita.

And when, late in the afternoon, the exhibition was over, Kathlyn
stepped upon the trap, threw aside her veil and revealed herself to the
spectators. For all her darkened skin they recognized her, and a deep
murmur ran round the arena. Kathlyn, knowing how volatile the people
were, extended her hands toward the royal box. When the murmurs died
away she spoke in Hindustani:

"I will face the arena lions!"

The murmurs rose again, gaining such volume that they became roars,
which the disturbed beasts took up and augmented.

Again Kathlyn made a sign for silence, and added: "Provided my sister
stands at my side!"

To this Umballa said no. The multitude shouted defiance. In the arena
they were masters, even as the populace in the old days of Rome were
masters of their emperors.

Winnie, comprehending that this was her cue, stepped forward in the box
and signified by gestures that she would join her sister.

The roaring began again, but this time it had the quality of cheers. A
real spectacle! To face the savage African lions unarmed! A fine
spectacle!

Winnie was lowered from the box, and as her feet touched the ground she
ran quickly to Kathlyn's side.

"Winnie, I am standing on a trap. When it sinks be not alarmed."

"My Kit!" cried Winnie, squeezing her adored sister's hand.

The arena was cleared, and the doors to the lions' dens were opened.
The great maned African lions stood for a moment blinking in the
sunshine. One of them roared out his displeasure, and saw the two
women. Then all of them loped toward what they supposed were to be
their victims.

That night in the bazaars they said that Umballa was warring in the
face of the gods. The erstwhile white queen of the yellow hair was
truly a great magician. For did she not cause the earth to open up and
swallow her sister and herself?

CHAPTER XIX

MAGIC

Through the tunnel, into the street, into the care of Ahmed and Lal
Singh, then hurriedly to the house of Ramabai. The fact that they had
to proceed to Ramabai's was a severe blow to Bruce and the colonel.
They had expected all to be mounted the instant they came from the
tunnel, a swift unobstructed flight to the gate and fr