your Vedic flags and stand by the
British--your true friends----"

At that, cries and counter-cries drowned his voice. Books were hurled;
no other weapon being handy; and Roy noted, with amused contempt, that
Chandranath hastily disappeared from view.

The Sikh laughed in the face of their opposition. Dexterously catching a
book, he hurled it back; and once more made his strong voice heard above
the clamour. "Fools--and sheep! You may stop your ears now. In the end I
will make you hear----"

Shouted down again, he vanished through a side exit; and, in the turmoil
that followed, Roy's hand closed securely on Dyan's arm. Throughout the
stormy interlude, he had stood rigidly still: a pained, puzzled frown
contracting his brows. Yet it was plain he would have slipped away
without a word, but for Roy's detaining grasp.

"You don't go running off--now I've found you," said he good-humouredly.
"I've things to say. Come along to my place and hear them."

Dyan jerked his imprisoned arm. "Very sorry. I have--important duties."

"To-morrow night then? I'm lodging with Krishna Lal. And--look here,
_don't_ mention me to your friend the philosopher! I know more about him
than you might suppose. If you still care a damn for me--and the others,
do what I ask--and keep your mouth shut----"

Dyan's frown was hostile; but his voice was low and troubled. "For God's
sake leave me alone, Roy. Of course--I care. But that kind of caring is
carnal weakness. We, who are dedicated, must rise above such weakness,
above pity and slave-morality, giving all to the Mother----"

"Dyan--have you forgotten--_my_ mother?" Roy pressed his advantage in
the same low tone.

"No. Impossible. She was _Devi_--Goddess; loveliest and kindest----"

"Well, in her name, I ask you--come to-morrow evening and have a talk."

Dyan was silent; then, for the first time, he looked Roy straight in the
eyes. "In her name--I will come. Now let me go."

Roy let him go. He had achieved little enough. But for a start it was
not so bad.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 16: An Indian dish.]

CHAPTER XI.

"When we have fallen through storey after storey of our vanity and
aspiration, it is then that we begin to measure the stature of our
friends."--R.L.S.

Next evening Dyan arrived. He stayed for an hour, and did most of the
talking. But his unnatural volubility suggested disturbance deep down.

Only once Roy had a glimpse of the true Dyan, when he