Cunningham, "the situation's desperate. We've got to
act. Alwa here stands pledged to protect Howrah and you have promised to
aid Jaimihr. Somebody's word has got to break, and you may take it from
me that it will be the word of the weakest man! I think that that man
is Jaimihr, but I can't be sure in advance, and we've got to accept his
promise to begin with. Go to him, Miss McClean, and make a very careful
bargain with him along the line I mapped out for you. Alwa-sahib, I want
witnesses, or rather overhearers. I want you and Mahommed Gunga to place
yourselves near Jaimihr's cell so that you can hear what he says. There
won't be any doubt then about who has broken promises. Are you ready,
Miss McClean?"

She was trembling, but from excitement and not fear. Both Rajputs
saluted her as she started back for the cell, and whatever their
Mohammedan ideas on women may have been, they chose to honor this one,
who was so evidently one of them in the hour of danger. Duncan McClean
seemed to be praying softly, for his lips moved.

When the cell-door creaked open, Alwa and Mahommed Gunga were crouched
one on either side, listening with the ears of soldiers that do not let
many sounds or words escape them.

"Jaimihr-sahib!" she whispered. "Jaimihr-sahib!"

"Ha! Sahiba!" Then he called her by half a dozen names that made the
listening Rangars grin into their beards.

"Jaimihr-sahib"--she raised her voice a little now--"if I help you to
escape, will you promise me my safety under all conditions?"

"Surely, sahiba!"

"Do you swear to protect every living person on this hill, including the
Alwa-sahib and Cunningham-sahib?"

"Surely, sahiba."

"You swear it?"

"I swear it on my honor. There is no more sacred oath."

"Then, listen. I can help you to escape now. I have a rope that is
long enough to lower you over the parapet. I am prepared to risk the
consequences, but I want to bargain with you for aid for my Countrymen."

Jaimihr did not answer.

"The Alwa-sahib and his Rangars stand pledged to help your brother!"

"I guessed at least that much," laughed Jaimihr.

"They would not help you against him under any circumstances. But they
want to ride to the Company's aid, and they might be prepared to protect
you against him. They might guarantee the safety of your palace and your
men's homes. They might exact a guarantee from Howrah."

Jaimihr laughed aloud, careless of the risk of being overheard, and
Rosemary knew t