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Updated: May 3, 2025
For these trinkets Kathlyn had gone through tortures as frightful almost as those in the days of the Inquisition. Upon one thing he and Ahmed had agreed, despite Ramabai's wild protest; they would leave the treasure with Bala Khan and follow his army to the walls of Allaha. If harm befell any of their loved ones not one stone should remain upon another.
At Ramabai's house Ahmed fell on his knees in thankfulness; not that his Mem-sahib was in Allaha, but that she was alive. During the evening meal Ramabai outlined his plot to circumvent Umballa. He had heard from one of his faithful followers that Umballa intended to force the colonel into a native marriage; later, to dispose of the colonel and marry the queen himself.
It would be rank folly to upset Ramabai's plans, which were to culminate in Umballa's overthrow. But upon a certain hour Ramabai came to Bruce, much alarmed. During his absence with Pundita at some palace affair his home had been entered, ransacked, and ten thousand rupees had been stolen. His real fortune, however, was hidden securely.
The Mem-sahib would be chosen as consort out of all the assembled high caste ladies of the state. Ahmed threw up his hands in horror, but Lal Singh bade him be patient. What did the Mem-sahib say to this? The Mem-sahib answered that she placed herself unreservedly in Ramabai's hands; that Umballa was a madman and must be treated as one. "Ramabai, why not strike now?" suggested Ahmed.
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.
By storm, or by guile? Yes, he was afraid of her; afraid of her because she could walk alone. He locked up his thoughts in his heart; for instinct advised him to say nothing now; this was no time for the declaration of love. "It is best," said Ahmed, "that we all remain inside the bungalow. Ramabai, have you any plan in case Pundita does not return?" Ramabai's breast swelled. "Yes, Ahmed.
Secretly, however, Ramabai's revolutionary friends were still back of him, though they pretended to bow to the yoke of the priests. So upon this day matters stood thus: the colonel, Kathlyn, Bruce and Winnie were prisoners again; Ahmed was in hiding, and Ramabai and his wife mocked by those who once had cheered them.
What at one moment was a terror was at another a feast. For the present, then, he would pretend that he had forgot all about Ramabai's part in the various unsuccessful episodes. True, the daughter had been crowned, but she had forfeited her rights. Thus he would return with Colonel Hare as soon as he could make the journey and return.
A word from your lips, and Ramabai's troops vanish, reform and become yours and mine!" "While the king lives?" asked the chief priest curiously. "Ah!" And Umballa smiled again. "But you, Durga Ram?" "There is Ramabai, a senile king, and I. Which for your purposes will you choose?" There was a conference. The priests drifted away from Umballa. He did not stir.
The dreaming man seated at a table came out of his dream with a start. A servant ran to the gate. "Who calls?" demanded Ramabai, suspicious, as all conspirators ever are. "It is I, Bruce," was the reply in English, flinging aside his burnoose. "Bruce Sahib? Open!" cried Ramabai. "What do you here? Have you found her?" Ramabai's wife, Pundita, came from the house. She recognized Bruce immediately.
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