The Adventures of Kathlyn

"Ah!"

"Durga Ram," she began, "I am seeking you." Her voice trembled ever so

little.

"Indeed! And why do you seek me, who am your enemy, and who always

will be?"

"A woman loves where she must, not where she wills."

Umballa seemed to ponder over this truth.

"And why have you sought me?"

"A woman's reasons. My husband and the Mem-sahib----"

"You know, then, where she is?" quickly.

"Aye, Durga Ram; I alone know where she is hiding."

He sent a shrewd glance into her eyes. Had she wavered, ill would have

befallen her.

"Tell me."

"Follow."

He laughed. Near by stood two of the palace guards. "All women are

liars. Why should I trust you?"

"That is true. Why indeed should you trust me?" She turned and with

bowed head started to walk away.

"Wait!" he called to her, at the same time motioning to the guards to

follow at a distance.

"If I lead you to the Mem-sahib, it must be alone."

"You say that you alone know where she is?"

"I meant that I alone will lead you to her. And you must decide

quickly, Durga Ram, for even now they are preparing for night, and this

time they will go far."

"Lead on."

"Send the guards back to the palace."

Umballa made a sign with his hand, but another with his eyes. The

guards fell back to the palace steps, understanding perfectly that they

and others were to follow unseen. Umballa knew instinctively that this

was a trap. He would apparently walk into it unsuspectingly; but those

who sprung the trap would find no rat, but a tiger. And after the

manner of hungry tigers, he licked his chops. A trap; a child could

have discerned it. But having faith in his star he followed Pundita.

Only once during the journey did he speak.

"Pundita, remember, if you have lied you will be punished."

"Durga Ram, I have not lied. I have promised to lead you to her, and

lead you to her I shall."

"Durga Ram," he mused. She did not give him his title of prince;

indeed, she never had. She was really the rightful heir to this crown;

but her forbears had legally foresworn. Ah! the Colonel Sahib's camp.

Good! He knew now that in Kathlyn's escape he had the man Ahmed to

reckon with. Presently.

"She is there, Durga Ram."

"And what more?" ironically.

His coolness caused her some uneasiness. Had he, by means unknown to

her, signed to the guards to follow?

Umballa entered the living-room of the bungalow. It was apparently

deserted. He cast a quick glance about. The curtains trembled

suspiciously, and even as he noted it, Bruce, Ramabai and Ahmed sprang

forth, carrying ropes. Umballa made a dash for the door, but they were

too quick for him. Struggling, he was seized and bound; but all the

while he was laughing inwardly. Did they dream of trapping him in this

childish fashion? By now twenty or thirty of his paid men were drawing

a cordon about the camp. All of them should pay the full penalty for

this act. What mattered a few ropes? He was rather puzzled as to the

reason of their leaving his right arm free.