"Keep that word. Your father and sister are fools."
Winnie trembled. They were alive. Kit and her father; this man had
lied. Alive! Oh, she would not be afraid of any ordeal now. They
were alive, and more than that they were free.
"I will keep my word when the time comes," she replied clearly.
"They are calling me Durga Ram the Mad. Beware, then, for madmen do
mad things."
The door opened and shut behind him, and she heard the key turn and the
outside bolt click into its socket.
They were alive and free, her loved ones! She knelt upon the cushions,
her eyes uplifted.
Alone, with a torch in his shaking hand, Umballa went down into the
prison, to the row of dungeons. In the door of one was a sliding
panel. He pulled this back and peered within. Something lay huddled
in a corner. He drew the panel back into its place, climbed the worn
steps, extinguished the torch and proceeded to his own home, a gift of
his former master, standing just outside the royal confines. Once
there, he had slaves anoint his bruised back and shoulders with
unguents, ordered his peg, drank it and lay down to sleep.
On the morrow he was somewhat daunted upon meeting Ramabai in the
corridor leading to the throne room, where Winnie and the council were
gathered. He started to summon the guards, but the impassive face of
his enemy and the menacing hand stayed the call.
"You are a brave man, Ramabai, to enter the lion's den in this fashion.
You shall never leave here alive."
"Yes, Durga Ram. I shall depart as I came, a free man."
"You talk like that to me?" furiously.
"Even so. Shall I go out on the balcony and declare that I know what a
certain dungeon holds?"
Umballa's fury vanished, and sweat oozed from his palms.
"You?"
"Yes, I know. A truce! The people are muttering and murmuring against
you because they were forbidden to attend your especial juggernaut.
Best for both of us that they be quieted and amused."
"Ramabai, you shall never wear the crown."
"I do not want it."
"Nor shall your wife."
Ramabai did not speak.
"You shall die first!"
"War or peace?" asked Ramabai.
"War."
"So be it. I shall proceed to strike the first blow."
Ramabai turned and began to walk toward the window opening out upon the
balcony; but Umballa bounded after him, realizing that Ramabai would do
as he threatened, declare from the balcony what he knew.
"Wait! A truce for forty-eight hours."
"Agreed. I have a proposition to make before you and the council. Let
us go in."
Before the council (startled as had Umballa been at Ramabai's
appearance) he explained his plans for the pacification and amusement
of the people. Umballa tried to find flaws in it; but his brain,
befuddled by numerous pegs and disappointments, saw nothing. And when
Ramabai produced his troupe of wild animal trainers not even Winnie
recognized them. But during the argument between Umballa and the
council as to the date of the festivities Kathlyn raised the corner of
her veil. It was enough for Winnie. In the last few days she had
learned self-control; and there was scarcely a sign that she saw Kit
and her father, and they had the courage to come here in their efforts
to rescue her!