ed. For a moment they believed
that Ramabai was going to guide them to the secret gallery. But
suddenly he raised his head and stared boldly at the gate. And by that
sign Bruce and the colonel understood: Ramabai had taken up the dice to
make his throw. The two men put their hands on their revolvers and
waited.

Soon the captain and his men came rushing in, only to stop short at a
sign from Ramabai.

"Be with me on the morrow, and I promise out of my own chest will I pay
you your arrears and earnest money for the future. On the other hand,
what will you gain by taking us prisoners to Umballa?"

"My lord's word is known. I myself will take charge of the affairs at
the palace; and Umballa shall go to the burning ghats. I will announce
to him that I found you not."

The captain and his men departed, while Ramabai and his friends
reentered the house, to find the imperturbable Lal Singh decked out in
his lawful finery.

"All is ready," he announced.

"Dawn," replied Ramabai.

"The servant goes forth for the chupatties."

* * * * * *

Dawn. The garden was filling with silent armed men. With Ramabai, in
the secret gallery, were the chiefs. Ramabai indicated the blazing
swords.

"My friends, choose among these weapons. The gems are nothing, but the
steel is tried and true."

Lal Singh selected the simplest, salaamed and slid the scabbard through
his cummerbund.

As for Kathlyn, she could not keep her eyes off the beautiful chain
cuirass which had once upon a time been worn by one of Pundita's
forebears, a warrior queen.

"Beautiful, beautiful!" she exclaimed. "Pundita, may I put it on? And
tell me the story of the warrior queen. To be brave like that, to
fight side by side with the man she loved!" She put the cuirass on.

The sky was yellow when the little army started off upon its desperate
enterprise. A guard was left behind for the women.

Pundita solemnly gave each of the girls a dagger. War! Rebellion!
Great clamor and shouting before the palace stairs!

"Give us Umballa and the council!"

Umballa heard the shouting, and at first did not understand; but soon
the truth came to him. The city was in revolt. He summoned what
servants he could trust and armed them. And when the captain of the
guard entered to seize Umballa he was himself overpowered. The
despatch with which this was accomplished stunned the soldiers, who
knew not what to do without the