eded night seemed to close
in on them--threatening, full of hidden danger.

Presently the sounds came again, unmistakably nearer; faint rustlings
and creakings, then a distinct crumbling, as of loosened earth and
stones. The shadowy plumes of acacia that crowned the arch stirred
perceptibly, though no breeze was abroad:--and not the acacia only. To
Aruna's excited fancy it seemed that the loose upper stones of the arch
itself moved ever so slightly. But _was_ it fancy? No--there again----!

And before the truth dawned on Roy, she had pushed him with all her
force, so vehemently that he stumbled backward and let go of her.

Before he recovered himself, down crashed two large stones and a shower
of small ones--on Aruna, not on him. With a stifled scream she tottered
and fell, knocking her head against the slab of rock.

Instantly he was on his knees beside her; stanching the cut on her
forehead, binding it with his handkerchief; consumed with rage and
concern;--rage at himself and the dastardly intruder,--no monkey, that
was certain.

His quick ear caught the stealthy rustling again, lower down; and,
yes--unmistakably--a human sound, like a stifled exclamation of dismay.

"Aruna--I _must_ get at that devil," he whispered. "Does your head feel
better? Dare I leave you a moment?"

"Yes--oh yes," she whispered back. "Nothing will harm me. Only take
care--please take care."

Hastily he made a pillow of his overcoat and covered her with the cloak;
then, stooping down, he kissed her fervently--and was gone.

CHAPTER XV.

"Then was I rapt away by the impulse, one
Immeasurable ... wave of a need
To abolish that detested life."
--BROWNING.

Lithe and noiseless as a cat, Roy crept through the archway into outer
darkness. It was hateful leaving Aruna; but rage at her hurt and the
primitive instinct of pursuit were not to be denied. And she _might_
have been killed. And she had done it for him:--coals of fire, indeed!
Also, the others would be getting anxious. Let him only catch that
mysterious skulker, and he could shout across to the Palace roof. They
would hear.

Close under the wall he waited, all the scout in him alert. The cautious
rustlings drew stealthily nearer; ceased, for a few tantalising seconds;
then, out of the massed shadows, there crept a moving shadow.

Roy's spring was calculated to a nicety; but the thing swerved sharply
and fled up the roug