The Adventures of Kathlyn - Page 124/201

"Father," said Kathlyn reproachfully, "that mahout recognized you. I

warned you not to move the curtain."

Bruce shrugged.

"But, Kit," returned her father, "Ahmed was so infernally slow! He

could spend time in chattering to the guards."

Ahmed heard, but said nothing.

"Never mind," interposed Bruce pacifically. "At any rate we shall have

the advantage of a couple of hours, and Umballa will not catch us with

the elephants he has at hand. By the time he starts his expedition we

shall be thirty miles away. Let us be cheerful!"

"Kit," said her father, "I couldn't help it. I can't think quickly any

more. I am like a man in a nightmare. I've been down to hell, and I

can't just yet realize that I am out of it. I'm sorry!"

"Poor dad!" Kathlyn pressed him in her arms, while Bruce nodded

enviously but approvingly.

By and by they drew aside the curtains. Kathlyn saw here and there

objects which recalled her first journey along this highway. If only

she had known!

"One thing is forecast," said Bruce. "When Ramabai returns it will be

to fight. He will not be able to avoid it now. I shouldn't mind going

back with him. Ahmed, what is this strange hold Umballa has over the

actions of the Council of Three? They always appear to be afraid of

him."

"Ah, Sahib," said Ahmed, resting his ankus or goad on the skull of his

mount, "there is said to be another prisoner in the palace prison. Lal

Singh knows, I believe."

"What's your idea?"

"Sahib, when I put you all safe over the frontier I am coming back to

Allaha to find out." And that was all Ahmed would say regarding the

subject.

"I'll wager he knows," whispered Bruce.

"But who can it be? Another poor devil of a white man? Yet how could

a white man influence the actions of the council?" The colonel spoke

irritably.

"Look!"--from Kathlyn; "there is one of those wonderful trees they call

the flame of the jungle." She called their attention to the tree

merely to cause a diversion. She wanted to keep her father's thoughts

away from Allaha.

So they journeyed on into the sunset, into twilight, into the bright

starry night.

Back in the city the panic was already being forgot as a thing of the

past. The leopards were back at their patrolling; the high officials

and dignitaries, together with the unsuccessful candidates, had gone

their several ways. Umballa alone paced the halls, well satisfied with

the events of the day, barring the disturbance caused by the escape of

the leopards.

His captain entered and saluted.

"Highness, a mahout has news."

"News? Of what?"

"He claims that he saw the king's turban in a howdah which passed the

ancient gate about an hour gone."