Bruce, from his howdah, heard the noise in the palace; female shrieks,
commands, a shot from a musket. What in heaven's name had happened?
Where was Kathlyn? Why did she not appear? He fingered his revolvers.
But Ahmed signaled to him not to stir. The knowledge of whatever had
happened must be brought to them; on their lives they dared not go in
search of it.
"This comes from your damnable oriental way of doing things. If I had
had my way, Umballa would be dead and buried."
"All in good time, Sahib."
The elephants stirred restlessly, for they scented the cat whom they
hated.
Within the palanquin Kathlyn dared scarcely to breathe; for outside
seven leopards prowled and sniffed and snarled!