"The prince has made this order imperative," he said. "Colonel Hare
will proceed in my custody."
"Where is Durga Ram?"
"At the bungalow of Colonel Hare, where he found the daughter."
Ah, that cleared up everything. Umballa had some definite plan in
releasing Colonel Hare. It would confuse the public, who had been
given to understand that the hunter was dead; but they would claim that
it was an affair of state, in nowise concerning the populace. So
Colonel Hare was brought up. Ramabai instantly signaled him to smother
his joy. But it was not necessary for the colonel to pretend
dejection. He was so pitiably weak that he could scarcely stand and
only vaguely understood that he was to follow this man Ramabai, whom he
did not recognize.
Ramabai, comprehending his plight, gave him the support of his arm, and
together they left the palace. So far all had gone smoothly.
The council had no suspicions. Twenty men had followed Durga Ram and
without doubt they were at this moment with him.
"Free!" breathed the colonel, as Ramabai beckoned to a public litter.
"Hush! You are supposed to be my prisoner. Make no sign of
jubilation." Ramabai helped the broken man into the litter and bade
the coolies to hurry. "Elephants will be ready to start the moment we
reach your camp. This time I believe we can get away in safety."
"And Umballa?"
"Shall go with us as hostage."
But Umballa did not go with them as hostage. On the contrary, the
moment they left him alone he quickly undid his bonds. He tiptoed past
the leopard which flew at him savagely, ripping the post from its
socket and wrecking the banisters. Umballa, unprepared for this
stroke, leaped through the window, followed by the hampered leopard.
It would have gone ill with Umballa even then had not some keepers
rushed for the leopard. In the ensuing confusion Umballa escaped.
"He is gone!" cried Bruce. "Ahmed, send a runner to warn Ramabai to
head for my camp! Quick! Get the elephants ready! Come, Kathlyn;
come, Pundita!" He hastened them toward the elephants. "Umballa made
his escape east; it will take him some minutes to veer round to his
men. Come!"
They waited at Bruce's camp an hour. A litter was seen swaying to and
fro, with coolies on the run. Ahmed ran forward and hailed it. A
moment later Kathlyn and her father were reunited.
"In God's name, Bruce, let us get out of this damnable country; I am
dying for want of light, air, food!"
They lifted the colonel into a howdah and started south, urging the
elephants at top speed. No sooner had they left the river than some
native boats landed at the broken camp, gleefully picking up things
which had been left behind in the rush.