"For myself? No, again. For my wife? That is a different matter."
"And the man in the dungeon?" ironically.
Ramabai suddenly faced the moon and stared long and silently at the
brilliant planet. In his mind there was conflict, war between right
and ambition. He seemed to have forgot those about him, waiting
anxiously for him to speak.
"Ramabai," said Ahmed craftily, "at a word from you a thousand armed
men will spring into existence and within twelve hours set Pundita on
yonder throne. Why do you hesitate to give the sign?"
Ramabai wheeled quickly.
"Ahmed, silence! I am yet an honorable man. You know and I know how
far I may go. Trifle with me no more."
Ahmed salaamed deeply.
"Think not badly of me, Ramabai; but I am a man of action, and it galls
me to wait."
"Are you wholly unselfish?"
It was Ahmed's turn to address mute inquiries to the moon.
"What is all this palaver about?" Bruce came in between the two men
impatiently.
"God knows!" murmured the colonel. "One thing I know, if we stand here
much longer we'll all spend the rest of the night in prison."
There was wisdom in this. They marched away at once, following the
path of the elephant and the loyal keepers. There was no pursuit.
Soldiers with purses filled with promises are not overeager to face
skilled marksmen. The colonel and his followers, not being aware of
this indecision, proposed camping in the first spot which afforded
protection from the chill of night, not daring to make for the
bungalow, certain that it was being watched. In this they were wise,
for a cordon of soldiers (with something besides promises in their
purses) surrounded the camp on the chance that its owner might hazard a
return.
"Now, Ramabai, what is your plan?" asked the colonel, as he wrapped
Kathlyn in the howdah blanket. "We are to pose as animal trainers.
Good. What next?"
"A trap and a tunnel."
"Ah!"
"There used to be one. A part of it caved in four or five years ago.
It can be reexcavated in a night. The men who do that shall be my own.
Your animals will be used. To Kathlyn Mem-sahib your pet leopards will
be as play fellows. She has the eye, and the voice, and the touch.
She shall be veiled to her eyes, with a bit of ocher on her forehead.
Who will recognize her?"
"The sight of you, Ramabai, will cause him to suspect."
"That remains in the air. There must be luck in it."
"If Umballa can be lured to drink his pegs." Then, with an impatient
gesture Ahmed added: "Folly! What! Umballa and the council will not
recognize the Colonel Sahib's hair, the Mem-sahib's golden head?"