ir leader.

* * * * * *

When Lal Singh staggered into the house of Ramabai holding his side in
mortal agony, dying, Kathlyn felt the recurrence of that strange
duality which she had first known in the Temple of the Lion.

"We have failed," whispered Lal Singh. "The palace soldiers betrayed
us! All are prisoners, shortly to be shot. . . . The secret
gallery . . . Food and water there! . . . Fly!" And thus Lal Singh
gave up his cobbler's booth.

As in a dream Kathlyn ran from the house into the street.

With the sun breaking in lances of light against the ancient chain
armor, her golden hair flying behind her like a cloud, on, on, Kathlyn
ran, never stumbling, never faltering, till she came out into the
square before the palace. Like an Amazon of old, she called to the
scattering revolutionists, called, harangued, smothered them under her
scorn and contempt, and finally roused them to frenzy.

In her madness Kathlyn turned the tide; and when her father's arms
closed round her she sank insensible upon his breast.

[Illustration: Kathlyn turned the tide.]

CHAPTER XX

BATTLE, BATTLE, BATTLE

"Kit, Kit!" cried Kathlyn's father when she came to her senses. "My
girl, my girl!"

They left the palace immediately.

The overthrow of Umballa seemed to be complete. Everywhere the
soldiers surrendered, for it was better to have food in the stomach
than lead.

When Kathlyn left the palace a thunder of cheers greeted her. Kathlyn
was forced to mount the durbar throne, much as she longed to be off.
But Bruce anticipated her thought and despatched one of the
revolutionists to the house of Ramabai. Kathlyn held out her hands
toward the excited populace, then turned to Ramabai expressively.
Ramabai, calm and unruffled as ever, stepped forward and was about to
address the people, when the disheveled captain of the guard, whom
Umballa had sent to the arena lions, pushed his way to the foot of the
platform.

"The arena lions have escaped!"

And there were a dozen lions in all, strong, cruel, and no doubt hungry!

Panic. Men who had been at one another's throat, bravely and hardily,
turned and fled. It was a foolish panic, senseless, but, like all
panics, uncontrollable. Those on the platform ran down the steps and
at once were swallowed up by the pressing trampling crowd.

Bruce and the colonel, believing that Kathlyn was behind them, fought
their way to a clearing, de