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Updated: June 1, 2025
Only in the direst need, though, did he intend to execute this plan. He wanted his friends out of Allaha without the shedding of any blood. "Well," said Ahmed, angrily casting aside his disguise; "well, Ramabai, this is the crisis. Will you strike?" Lal Singh's wrinkled face lighted up with eagerness. "We are ready, Ramabai," he said. "We?"
No bribery was possible here; at least, nothing short of a fabulous sum of money would dislodge their loyalty to Ramabai, now the constitutional regent. No one could leave the house or enter it without scrutiny and question. The servants and the women of the zenana remained undisturbed. Ramabai would have it so. Things had been put in order.
He took the jeweled triangle from Umballa's turban. "Go, Ramabai," said Kathlyn, strangely tender all at once; "go bring my father back to me. Rest assured that if aught happens to you, Umballa shall pay." "With his head," supplemented Bruce. "Look not so eagerly toward the west, Umballa. Your troopers will remain at the edge of the clearing.
Ahmed recognized him as the ambassador from the neighboring principality, ruled by a Kumor, who was in turn ruled by the British Raj. Kathlyn could not shut out the leer on his face. By midafternoon the gharry reached Bruce's camp. Ramabai and Pundita greeted Kathlyn with delight. All their troubles were over. They had but to mount the elephants and ride away.
Oh, this was going to be something worth while. When the caravan came within hailing distance the chief of the brigands stepped forward menacingly. The new arrivals were informed that they were prisoners, and were bidden to dismount at once. "But we are on the way to the city of Bala Khan," remonstrated Ramabai. "Which you left this morning!" jeered the chief. "Dismount!"
Troops also appeared, and behind them the eager expectant populace. They were to be amused. There were many of them, however, who hoped that a miracle would happen. "Ramabai," whispered Bruce, "she is as beautiful as a dream. If I had only known! Well, there's going to be a miracle. See how straight she stands; not a sign of fear in her face.
She flung herself down before the catafalque, passionately kissing the shroud. She leaned back and beat her breast and wailed. Ramabai was vastly puzzled over this demonstration. That a handsome young woman should wail over the corpse of an old man who had never been anything to her might have an interpretation far removed from sorrow.
In order that her immediate forebear might return to their native state and dwell in peace they had waived all possible rights of accession. They had found her husband standing over a dead man in the bazaars. He was innocent. Umballa smoothed his chin. Pundita had not told her queen how he, Umballa, had made the accusation, after having been refused money by Ramabai.
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.
But Bruce anticipated her thought and despatched one of the revolutionists to the house of Ramabai. Kathlyn held out her hands toward the excited populace, then turned to Ramabai expressively.
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