The Adventures of Kathlyn

The majordomo was permitted to enter without question. He passed the

guards humbly. But once inside, beyond observation, he became a

different man. For in Umballa's house, as in Ramabai's, there were

secret chambers, and to-day the majordomo entered one of them--through

a panel concealed behind a hanging Ispahan rug.

On the night after the revolt, Umballa, sober and desperate, had slunk

back disguised as a candy seller. The house was not guarded then; so

he had no difficulty in gaining admittance. But he had to gain

entrance through a window in the zenana. He would not trust either his

servants, his slaves, or his chief eunuch. To the women of his own

zenana he had always been carelessly kind, and women are least bribable

of the two sexes.

Umballa entered at once his secret chamber and food and water were

brought, one of the women acting as bearer. On the morning after the

guards arrived, and Umballa knew not how long he might have to wait.

Through one of the women he sent a verbal message to the majordomo with

the result that each day he learned what was taking place in the

palace. So they hunted for the king.

He was very well satisfied. He had had his revenge; and more than

this, he was confident when the time came he would also gain his

liberty. He had a ransom to pay: the king himself!

Now then, Ramabai felt it incumbent on him to hold a banquet in the

palace, there to state to his friends, native and white, just what he

intended to do. And on the night of this sober occasion he sat in the

throne room before a desk littered with documents. As he finished

writing a note he summoned the majordomo.

"Have this delivered at once to Hare Sahib, whom you will find at his

bungalow outside the city. Tell him also that he must be present

to-night, he, his friend and his daughters. It is of vital importance."

Pundita, who was staring out of the window, turned and asked her lord

what he was sending the Colonel Sahib that he could not give him at the

banquet.

"A surprise, an agreeable surprise."

The majordomo cocked his ears; but Ramabai said nothing more.

At the colonel's bungalow there was rejoicing. Ramabai had written

that, since the king could not be found he would head the provisional

government as regent, search for and arrest Umballa, and at any time

the Colonel Sahib signified would furnish him with a trusty escort to

the railway, three days' journey away. He added, however, that he

hoped the Colonel Sahib would be good enough to remain till order was

established.

The majordomo contrived to tarry long enough to overhear as much of the

conversation as needed for he understood English--and then returned to

the city to carry the news to Umballa. To him Umballa gave a white

powder.