our intention is not to evade the promise."

"Our intention is to prevent Howrah and his brother from fighting, to
insure peace and protection on this whole countryside, and, if possible,
to ride away with Jaimihr's army to the Company's aid."

"Good, sahib."

It seemed to occur to none of the three that fifteen hundred mounted men
were somewhat few with which to accomplish such a marvel.

"If they are fighting already, we must interfere."

"We are ready, bahadur. Fighting is our trade!"

"But, before all things, we must keep our eyes well skinned for a
hint of treachery on Jaimihr's part. I would rather quarrel with that
gentleman than be his friend, but he happens to hold our promise.
We've got to keep our promise, provided he keeps his. I think our first
objective is the treasure."

"That, sahib, is an acrobat of a plan," said Alwa; "much jumping from
one proposition to another!"

"It is no plan at all," said Cunningham. "It is a mere rehearsal of the
circumstances. A plan is something quickly seized at the right
second and then acted on--like your capture of Jaimihr. Wait awhile,
Alwa-sahib!"

"Ay, wait awhile!" growled Mahommed Gunga. "Did I bring thee a leader to
ask plans of thee, or a man of men for thee to follow? Which?"

"All the same," said Alwa, "I would rather halt and make a good plan. It
would be wiser. I do not understand this one."

"I follow Cunnigan-bahadur!" said Mahommed Gunga; and he spurred off
to his squadron. Alwa could see nothing better than to follow suit, for
Cunningham closed his lips tight in a manner unmistakable. And whatever
Alwa's misgivings might have been, he had the sense and the soldierly
determination not to hint at them to his men.

As dawn rose pale-yellow in the eastern sky they thundered into view
of Howrah City and drew rein to breathe their horses. The sun was high
before they had trotted near enough to make out details. But, long
before details could be seen, it was evident that an army was formed
up to meet them on the tree-lined maidan that lay between them and the
two-mile-long palace-wall. Beyond all doubt it was Jaimihr's army, for
his elephants were not so gaudily harnessed as Howrah's, and his men
were not so brilliantly dressed.

As they dipped into the last depression between them and the wall and
halted for a minute's consultation, a khaki-clad, shrivelled figure of
a man leaped up from behind a sand-ridge, and raced toward Cunningham,
shouting t