eart.

And one night he hit on a plan. The fort was almost at its last gasp.
All day Sumbal Khan, Humayon's famous artillery general, had been
pounding away at the Iron Gate with deadly aim. A few more well-sent
shots would leave the bastion crumbling, and then----

Then would come the assault through the breach, and Kumran knew he could
not face it. His force was too small.

So about midnight the door of Akbar's prison room was opened and Kumran
with a few armed men stood within.

Roy, startled from a doze, was on his feet in a second.

"What want ye?" he challenged fiercely.

"Let the Hindoo fool alone," said Kumran to those who would have seized
on the Rajput lad. "All we want is the child. Take him, slaves, and be
quick about it."

Ere the words were out of his mouth a stalwart man bent to lift the
sleeping Heir-to-Empire. Roy's sword flashed the same second, but, held
back by sneering men, he was helpless.

"What want ye with him? I say, what want ye with him?" panted the poor
lad as he struggled madly.

Kumran paused at the door to turn an icy cold look of cruelty upon him.
"What! Thou wouldst know? Then thou shalt have it, young idolater. It
may cool thy hot blood. I will dress him in dust colour like the walls
of Kabul and hang him over the battlement at dawn as a mark for my
brother's artillery. Then we shall see the breach in my citadel made!
Then we shall see my revenge--but it will not be of my making! His
father shall kill him."

So with a mirthless laugh he followed his men, who were bearing away the
Heir-to-Empire, still but half awake.

Roy stood for one second like a stone, too horror stricken for full
belief; but the echoing laugh convinced him; with a wild cry he rushed
to the narrow window and shook fruitlessly at its iron bars like a wild
animal when it is newly caged. But they were immovable.

Yet something must be done--something--something----

The thought of dawn was too dreadful. The beautiful, calm, peaceful
April dawn, shadowy grey! Just light enough to see the outline of the
Bala Hissar, just light enough to begin upon the breach once more; but
too dark to see what was in the line of fire.

Yes! Something must be done, and done swiftly. Not four hours left
before the eastern hills would begin to show dark against the coming of
day.

CHAPTER XX

ESCAPED

Once more Roy felt helpless and hopeless before the great task which
seemed to be laid upon him. He alone out