The Adventures of Kathlyn

The painted dancing girl in the house where Umballa had taken temporary

refuge began to gather her trinkets, her amber and turquoise necklaces,

bracelets and anklets. These she placed in a brass enameled box and

tucked it under her arm. Next she shook the sodden Umballa by the

sleeve.

"Come!" she cried.

"I would sleep," he muttered.

She seized a bowl containing some flowers and cast the contents into

his face. "Fire, fire and death!" she shrilled at him.

The douche brought the man out of his stupor.

"Fire?" he repeated.

"Come!"

This time he followed her docilely, wiping his face on his sleeve.

They heard a great shouting in the street, but did not tarry to learn

what had caused it.

One of Umballa's bearers, upon realizing what his master had done, had

run down the street for aid. He had had two objects in view--to save

the white goddess and to buy his freedom.

A few hundred yards away, in another street, the colonel, Bruce and

Ahmed were dragging a net for the purpose of laying it for a lion at

bay in a blind alley. Into their presence rushed the wild-eyed bearer.

"Save the white goddess!" he cried.

Bruce seized him by the shoulder. "What is that?"

"The white goddess, Sahib! She is on the roof of a burning house.

Durga Ram, my master, set fire to it. He is drunk and hiding in a

house near by."

"The man is mad," declared the colonel. "Kit would not have lost her

way this far. He is lying. He wants money."

Ahmed spoke. The bearer fell upon his knees.

Three shots, at intervals!

The colonel and Bruce stared into each other's eyes.

"God in Heaven!" gasped the colonel; "those are revolver shots!"

"Bring the net!" shouted Ahmed. To the trembling bearer he said: "Lead

us; we follow. And if you have spoken the truth you shall not only

have your freedom, but rupees for your old age."

A lion's net is a heavy affair, but with the aid of the keepers the men

ran as quickly and lightly as if burdenless. Smoke. There was a fire.

The hearts of the white men beat painfully. And the same thought

occurred to both of them; they should have gone to Ramabai's house

first, then turned their attention to the lions. And Umballa was

hiding in a house near by!

Well for them that they entered the doomed quarter as they did.

Kathlyn saw them, and the muzzle of the revolver which she was pressing

to her heart lowered, the weapon itself slipping from her hand to the

roof. God was not going to let her die like this.

"Spread out the net!" commanded Bruce. "Kathlyn, can you hear me?" he

shouted, cupping his hands before his mouth. Faintly he heard her

reply. "When I give the word, jump. Do not be afraid."