rence chilled by horror. For, as they were about to step up to
the portal, one of the guards yawned loudly, rose, and walked to the
rug, drew it aside, and looked in.

He stood there gazing in so long, that it seemed as if he must have
discovered that there were absentees; but, just as Lawrence was in
despair, he dropped the curtain, walked back to his companion, and sat
down with his back to the portal.

Yussuf wasted no time, but glided along in the shadow, and Lawrence
followed; but as he reached the portal he kicked against a piece of
loose stone and the guards sprang up.

Lawrence would have stood there petrified, but Yussuf dragged him in,
hurried him across the interior, threw him down, and took his place
behind him.

"Pretend to be asleep," he whispered; and he turned his face away, as
the steps of the guards were heard, and they lifted the rug curtain and
came in with a primitive kind of lantern, to look round and see if all
were there, being satisfied on finding them apparently asleep, and going
back evidently believing it was a false alarm.

"Safe this time, Yussuf," whispered Lawrence.

"Yes," said the guide. "Now sleep in peace, for you have discovered a
way to escape."

CHAPTER FORTY ONE.

THE TIME FOR FLIGHT.

"And you are sure, Yussuf?" said Mr Preston two days later.

"Yes, effendi. I have been there alone twice since, and in a few hours
I had moved enough stones to let me through to the light, and in a few
hours more I can make the passage so easy that a lady can go through."

"And where the light shines in?"

"Is just over a narrow rugged path leading down the mountain--a way that
has been forgotten. Effendi, after I have been there once again the way
is open, and though the path is dangerous it will lead to safety, and we
must escape."

"When?" said Mr Preston eagerly.

"As soon as we can collect a little food--not much, but enough to carry
us to the nearest village where we can get help."

"And our goods--our property?"

"Must stay, excellency. Once you are all safe we can send the soldiery
by the path by which we left, for the brigands will not know how we have
escaped."

"Well, I can save my drawings," said the professor, "and they will be
worth all the journey, as we have no ransom to pay."

The next day Mr Burne was let into the secret, but it was decided not
to tell the Chumleys till they were awakened on the night of the
attempt.

It was hard work to keep dow