The Adventures of Kathlyn

Silence.

Then Ramabai brought candidate after candidate close to the colonel, so

that he alone might see the face behind the veil. At each uplifting of

the veil the colonel shook his head. A dark frown began to settle over

Umballa's face. If the colonel refused the last candidate for nuptial

honors, he should die. But as Ramabai lifted the veil of this last

woman the colonel nodded sharply; and Kathlyn, for a brief space, gazed

into her father's eyes. The same thought occurred to both; what a

horrible mockery it all was, and where would it lead finally?

"Take care!" whispered Kathlyn as she saw her father's fingers move

nervously with suppressed longing to reach out and touch her.

The spectators of this little drama which was hidden from them evinced

their approval by a murmuring which had something like applause in it.

A queen was chosen! A real queen at last had been chosen. Ramabai had

accomplished by diplomacy what yonder Durga Ram had failed to do by

force. But Umballa secretly smiled as he sensed this undercurrent.

Presently they should see.

The colonel extended his hand and drew Kathlyn up beside him; and now

for a moment the whole affair trembled in the balance: Kathlyn felt

herself possessed with a wild desire to laugh.

The chain of gold, representing the betrothal, was now ordered brought

from the treasury.

The populace, outside the palace, having been acquainted with what was

taking place, burst out into cheers.

The treasure room, guarded by leopards in charge of incorruptible

keepers, was now approached by Umballa and his captain of the guard.

Umballa presented his order on the treasury. The leopards were driven

into their cages, and the magic door swung open. The two gasped for

breath; for Umballa had never before looked within. Everywhere gold

and gems; fabulous riches, enough to make a man ten times a king.

"Highness," whispered the captain, "there is enough riches here to

purchase the whole of Hind!"

As he stared Umballa surrendered to a passing dream. Presently he

shook himself, sought the chain for which he had come, and reluctantly

stepped out into the corridor again. He would return soon to this

door. But for that fool of a white man who had saved the king from the

leopard, he would have opened this door long since. As he walked to

the outer door he thought briefly of the beauty of Kathlyn. She was

dead, and dead likewise was his passion for her.

Beyond the gate to the garden of brides Ahmed and Lal Singh waited with

elephants. From here they would make the north gate, transfer to new

elephants, and leave Allaha and its evil schemes behind. They created

no suspicion. There were many elephants about the palace this day. In

one of the howdahs sat Bruce, armed; in the other, Pundita, trembling

with dread. So many arms had Siva, that evil spawn, that Pundita would

not believe all was well till they had crossed the frontier.