Colonel Sahib and his daughter live, ask what you will."

Ramabai bowed.

"I will set my camp five miles beyond your walls and wait. When I see
the Mem-sahib I will salaam, turn right about face, and go home. Now,
to you, Bruce Sahib: Leave not your treasure within my walls when I
shall be absent, for I can not guarantee protection. Leave it where it
is and bring it with you. Save myself, no one of my men knows what
your saddle-bags contain. Let us proceed upon our junket--or our war!"

* * * * * *

Umballa reached the ancient gate of Allaha at the same time Bruce
stopped before the walls of Bala Khan's city. He determined to wring
the secret from either the colonel or his daughter, return for the
treasure and depart for Egypt down the Persian Gulf.

He made a wide detour and came out at the rear of his house. No one
was in sight. He dismounted and entered, found three or four of his
whilom slaves, who, when he revealed his identity, felt the old terror
and fear of the man. His prisoners were brought in. A slave took the
elephants to the stables. He wanted to run away and declare Umballa's
presence, but fear was too strong.

Ironically Umballa bade the fishermen to enter to eat and drink what
they liked. Later he found them in a drunken stupor in the kitchen.
That was where they belonged.

He ordered his prisoners to be brought into the Court of Death and left
there.

"You see?" said Umballa. "Now, where have you hidden the treasure?"

Kathlyn walked over to one of the cages and peered into it. A sleek
tiger trotted up to the bar; and purred and invited her to scratch his
head.

"I am not answered," said Umballa.

A click resounded from the four sides, and a bar disappeared from each
of the cages.

"That will be all for the present," said Umballa. "Food and water you
will not require. To-morrow morning another bar will be removed."

And he left them.

Early the next morning the town began to seethe in the squares. Bala
Khan's army lay encamped outside the city!

When Bruce, Ramabai, Pundita and Ahmed halted their elephants before
the temple they were greeted by the now terrified priests who begged to
be informed what Bala Khan proposed to do.

"Deliver to us the Mem-sahib."

The priests swore by all their gods that they knew nothing of her.

"Let us enter the temple," said Ramabai. "Ahmed, bring the treasure
and leave it in the care of the priests.