The Adventures of Kathlyn

Kathlyn and Bruce returned to Allaha without mishap. Neither animal

nor vagabond molested them. When they arrived they immediately found

means to acquaint Ramabai, who with Pundita set out to meet them.

In their picturesque disguises Kathlyn and Bruce made a handsome pair

of high caste natives. The blue eyes alone might have caused remarks,

but this was a negligible danger, since color and costume detracted.

Kathlyn's hair, however, was securely hidden, and must be kept so. A

bit of carelessness on her part, a sportive wind, and she would be

lost. She had been for dyeing her hair, but Bruce would not hear of

this desecration.

So they entered the lion's den, or, rather, the jackal's.

At Ramabai's house Ahmed fell on his knees in thankfulness; not that

his Mem-sahib was in Allaha, but that she was alive.

During the evening meal Ramabai outlined his plot to circumvent

Umballa. He had heard from one of his faithful followers that Umballa

intended to force the colonel into a native marriage; later, to dispose

of the colonel and marry the queen himself. Suttee had fallen in

disuse in Allaha. He, Ramabai, would now apparently side with Umballa

as against Colonel Hare, who would understand perfectly. As the

colonel would refuse to marry, he, Ramabai, would suggest that the

colonel be married by proxy. However suspicious Umballa might be, he

would not be able to find fault with this plan. The betrothal would

take place in about a fortnight. The Mem-sahib would be chosen as

consort out of all the assembled high caste ladies of the state.

Ahmed threw up his hands in horror, but Lal Singh bade him be patient.

What did the Mem-sahib say to this? The Mem-sahib answered that she

placed herself unreservedly in Ramabai's hands; that Umballa was a

madman and must be treated as one.

"Ramabai, why not strike now?" suggested Ahmed.

"The promise Umballa has made to the soldiers has reunited them

temporarily. Have patience, Ahmed." Lal Singh selected a leaf with

betel-nut and began to chew with satisfaction.

"Patience?" said Ahmed? "Have I none?"

So the call went forth for a bride throughout the principality, and was

answered from the four points of the compass.

Between the announcement and the fulfilment of these remarkable

proceedings there arrived in the blazing city of Calcutta a young maid.

Her face was very stern for one so youthful, and it was as fearless as

it was stern. Umballa's last card, had she but known the treachery

which had lured her to this mystic shore. The young maid was Winnie,

come, as she supposed, at the urgent call of her father and sister, and

particularly warned to confide in no one and to hide with the utmost

secrecy her destination.