ce for the end, to find a way on to the roof, but it
was at the other end, and proved to be, as we reached it, exactly like
that of the palace--flat, and with a parapet all round.

Dost signed to me to stoop, for I was a striking object with my bright
uniform, and the reflection from the lanthorns and torches down below
was sufficient to make us visible to each other.

Bending low, we approached the side whence the light came, and, taking
off my helmet, I cautiously peered down, to see the great court beneath
crowded with soldiers, all standing to their arms, as if expecting
instant orders to join in the search.

"No go down there, sahib," said Dost, softly.

I shook my head, and followed him to the end, where a stronger light
shone up, and on looking down there, we found that the officers were
collected, as if waiting for orders.

Dost shook his head again, and walked back along the roof, with the
grounds on our left, the well-filled square on the right, and the dark
end of the large summer-house before us.

There everything was black, and we had no need for caution in looking
over.

I could not help shuddering as I drew back my head, on hearing a loud
slapping noise below me, and a peculiar whishing, rushing sound.

"No," said Dost. "No boat. Muggers. Can't go that way."

For the swift river was gliding by just beneath the walls of the
summer-house; whose windows looked down upon what by day would be
doubtless a lovely scene, but which now was gloomy and repulsive in the
extreme.

"What shall we do, then?" I asked.

"Wait," said Dost, quietly, and he unwound the rope from me, and
carefully made it into a coil, which he passed over his left arm.

"Wouldn't it be better to stop till later? They will not search this
place again."

"I don't know, sahib. They may come up here, and there is nowhere to
hide."

"Shall we go back into the garden, and try some other way."

"There is no other way," he replied. "The river shuts off all one side,
sahib, and the other is full of Ny Deen's soldiers."

"Tell me," I whispered. "What about the fighting? Our people were not
beaten?"

"I don't know, sahib. I can't understand. The rajah drove all before
him, and they retreated far away."

That was piteous news, and I drew a long breath as I felt how hopeless
my condition was growing. It had seemed so easy to escape when once I
was out of the palace, but on putting it to the test, the difficulties
had in