he slung it round his waist; but it
was music to Ramabai's ears. "Trust me. There shan't be any ordeals;
not so you would notice it. . . . Great God! A white woman, one of my
kind! . . . All right, Ali; quick work. Thanks!"

"There will be many pitfalls, Sahib," said Ramabai.

"Indeed!"

"I have some influence with the populace, but Umballa has the army, paid
for. The priests and the council are back of him. And, after all, the
priests are most to be feared. They can always sway the people through
fear."

Bruce laughed again. "Either Kathlyn Hare will be free to-morrow or
Umballa and the council meat for the jackals . . . or I shall be," he
added, in afterthought. "Now, do not speak till I speak. I wish to
think, for I've got to act quickly; I can't make any mistakes when I get
there."

Far away a brown figure in clout and drab turban watched the young man.
When he saw the elephant with the hunting howdah he knew that he had the
information for which his master had detailed him to follow, night and
day, the young banker Ramabai. The white hunter was coming hot-foot to
the city. He turned and ran. Running was his business; he was as
tireless as a camel and could run twenty and thirty miles at a stretch.
The soles of his feet were as tough as elephant's hide. Thus he reached
the city an hour before Bruce and Ramabai.

When Bruce and the native banker arrived at the gate coolies stood about
with torches. Suddenly beyond the gate half a regiment drew up. The
officer in charge raised his hand warningly.

"The white hunter is Bruce Sahib?"

"Yes." Bruce spoke the dialects with passable fluency.

"Good. The Sahib will be pleased to dismount."

"I am on my way to the palace."

"That is impossible, Sahib." At a sign from the officer the troopers
extended their guns at half aim. It was a necessary precaution. These
white sahibs were generally a mad people and were quick to shoot.
"Please dismount, Sahib. It is the orders."

Bruce's mahout, who was a Rajput Mohammedan, turned his head to learn
what his master had to say. Bruce, pale under his tan, nodded. The
mahout reached down with his silver tipped goad and touched the elephant
on the knee. The big brute slowly and ponderously kneeled. Bruce
stepped out of the howdah, followed by Ramabai, who saw that in some
unaccountable manner they had been betrayed. He was sick at heart.

Two troopers stepped forward and took possession of the r