The Adventures of Kathlyn

For Umballa had, at the departure of the majordomo, conceived a plan

for rehabilitation so wide in its ramifications, so powerful and

whelming, that nothing could stay it; once it was set in motion. The

priests, the real rulers of Asia; the wise and patient gurus, who held

the most compelling of all scepters, superstition! Double fool that he

had been, not to have thought of this before! He knew that they hated

Ramabai, who in religion was an outcast and a pariah, who worshiped but

a single God whom none had ever seen, of whom no idol had been carved

and set up in a temple.

Superstition!

Umballa threw off his robes and donned his candy seller's tatters, left

the house without being questioned by the careless guard, and sought

the chief temple.

Superstition!

To cow the populace, to bring the troops to the mark, with threats of

curses, famine, plague, eternal damnation! Superstition! And this is

why Ramabai and his followers found an empty chamber.