The Adventures of Kathlyn

"What do you mean?" demanded Bruce roughly, "I have eyes."

"Well, yes; it is true. Behind you are your people; behind us,

nothing. That is why I am frantic. Umballa, whenever he finds himself

checkmated, digs up what he purports to be an unused law. There is

none to contest it. I tell you, Ramabai, we must escape soon, or we

never will. You suggested this impossible marriage. It is horrible."

"But it lulls Umballa; and lulled, he becomes careless. Beyond the

north gate there are ever ready men and elephants. And when the moment

arrives, thither we shall fly, all of us. But," mysteriously, "we may

not have to fly. When Umballa learns that the Colonel Sahib will

refuse to sign the necessary treasury release the soldiers will

understand that once again they have been trifled with."

"We must wait. But it's mighty hard."

The garden of brides has already been described. But on this day when

the ten veiled candidates sat in waiting there was spring in the air;

and there were roses climbing trellises, climbing over the marble

walls, and the pomegranate blossoms set fire to it all. At the gate

stood Ramabai, dressed according to his station, and representing by

proxy the king. Presently a splendid palanquin arrived, and within it

a tardy candidate. She was laden with jewels, armlets, anklets and

head ornaments; pearls and uncut sapphires and rubies. Upon lifting

her veil she revealed a beautiful high caste face. Ramabai bade her

pass on. No sooner had she taken her place than still another

palanquin was announced, and this last was drawn by fat sleek bullocks,

all of a color.

Ramabai held up his hand. The bullock drivers stopped their charges,

and from the palanquin emerged a veiled woman. This was Kathlyn.

The selected candidates were now all present. As master of ceremonies,

Ramabai conducted them into the palace, thence into the throne room

gaily decorated for the occasion. In a balcony directly above the

canopy of the throne were musicians, playing the mournful harmonies so

dear to the oriental heart.

Upon the throne sat Colonel Hare, gorgeously attired, but cold and

stern of visage, prepared to play his part in this unutterable

buffoonery. Near by stood Durga Ram, so-called Umballa, smiling. It

was going to be very simple; once yonder stubborn white fool was

wedded, he should be made to disappear; and there should be another

wedding in which he, Durga Ram, should take the part of the bridegroom.

Then for the treasury, flight, and, later, ease abroad. Let the

filigree basket of gems stay where it was; there were millions in the

treasury, the accumulated hoardings of many decades.

The council and high priests also wore their state robes, and behind

them were officers and other dignitaries.

There was a stir as Ramabai entered with the veiled candidates. The

colonel in vain tried to hide his interest and anxiety. Kathlyn was

there, somewhere among these kotowing women; but there was nothing by

which he could recognize her. As the women spread about the throne,

Ramabai signified to the musicians to cease.