ed grin in which there was a certain shamefacedness, for with all
his fierce fanaticism he could not forget the gentle, sweet nature of
the one who had become a prisoner nor the unvarying kindness he had
received at her hands. True, the devil in his nature was roused, and
there could be little question that he was acting as guide to these
murderers while they hunted for the doctor and his family.

"And do you mean to help kill those who have been your friends,
Mustad?" she asked, with her penetrating eyes fixed upon him.

Had the two been alone, it is possible the edge would have been taken
off the response, but with four Ghoojurs at his elbow, and one of them
the furious Almos, he dared not be behind them in savagery.

"This is a war for our deen; when we fight for that we know none but
the followers of the Prophet! The Inglese loge stole our homes and our
land from us! They have put lard on the cartridges of the Sepoys that
the faithful may become unclean and be shut out of paradise! I hate
them all! I have no friends among them! I shall never sheath my knife
nor stay my hand while one remains alive in India."

"Let it be as you say," she calmly replied, seeing that it was useless
to hold converse with the wretch.

Her wish was to keep the party where they were until Jack and her
father could have time to return. Here would be an opportunity for the
young man to make a few more bull's-eyes, but Almos was too wise to run
the risk. He was not afraid to fight two men, even though not so well
armed as they, but his wish was first to place the young woman beyond
their reach--for when the fight came it would be to the death.

"No harm shall come to you," said the leader in a gentler tone. "Walk
forward over the path and we will guard you against harm."

"Whither do you intend to take me?" she asked, debating whether to obey
or to make a fight then and there and force matters to an issue.

"To Akwar."

"Why there?"

"To place you among friends that your enemies may not reach you."

"Why not take me to my home?"

"It has been burned and the men are hiding among the trees that they
may slay you when you and your father return."

After a moment's hesitation she obeyed, taking the path along which her
parent soon after pressed in the desperate effort to recover her from
her captors.

CHAPTER XVIII.

DOCTOR AND PATIENT.

The bright wits of Miss Marlowe were active. Mustad took the lead
along th