his objective. They knew, too, that the section had
reached Doonha, had relieved it and started back again. And yet not a
single rebel who had fought in either engagement was within twenty miles
of Hanadra yet!

In the old, low-ceilinged room above the archway Mahommed Khan paced
up and down and chewed at his black mustache, kicking his scabbard away
from him each time he turned and glowering at the priest.

"That dog can solve this riddle!" he kept muttering. Then he would glare
at Ruth impatiently and execrate the squeamishness of women. Ruth sat
on the divan with her face between her hands, trying to force herself to
realize the full extent of her predicament and beat back the feeling of
hysteria that almost had her in its grip. The priest lay quiet. He was
in a torture of discomfort on the upturned table, but he preferred
not to give the Risaldar the satisfaction of knowing it. He eased his
position quietly from time to time as much as his bandages would let
him, but he made no complaint.

Suddenly, Ruth looked up. It had occurred to her that she was wasting
time and that if she were to fight off the depression that had seized
her she would be better occupied.

"Mahommed Khan," she said, "if I am to leave here on horseback, with you
or with an escort, I had better collect some things that I would like to
take with me. Let me in that room, please!"

"The horse will have all that it can carry, heavenborn, without a load
of woman's trappings."

"My jewels? I can take them, I suppose?"

He bowed. "They are in there? I will bring them, heavenborn!"

"Nonsense! You don't know where to find them."

"The ayah--will--will show me!"

He fitted the key into the lock and turned it, but Ruth was at his side
before he could pass in through the door.

"Nonsense, Risaldar! The ayah can't hurt me. You have taken her knife
away, and that is my room. I will go in there alone!"

She pushed past him before he could prevent her, thrust the door back
and peered in.

"Stay, heavenborn--I will explain!"

"Explain what?"

The dim light from the lamp was filtering in past them, and her eyes
were slowly growing accustomed to the gloom. There was something lying
on the floor, in the middle of the room, that was bulky and shapeless
and unfamiliar.

"Ayah!" said Ruth. "Ayah!"

But there was no answer.

"Where is she, Risaldar?"

"She is there, heavenborn!"

"Is she asleep?"

"Aye! She sleeps deeply!"

There was, som