ain--I reveal it to you without price or hope of reward, for
I know there is no love in your heart to give, Miska; I know that it
takes you out of my sight for always. But I tell you what I learn in
the house of Abdul Rozan. Your life is your own, Miska! With the
needle"--yet closer he bent to her ear and even softer he spoke--"he
pricks your white skin--no more! The vial he sends contains a harmless
cordial!"

"Chunda Lal!"

Miska swayed again dizzily, clutching at the Hindu for support.

"Quick! fly!" he said, leading her to the door. "I will see _he_ does
not pursue!"

"No, no! you shall shed no blood for me! Not even _his_. You come
also!"

"And if he escape, and know that I was false to him, he will _call me
back,_ and I shall be dragged to those yellow eyes, though I am a
thousand miles away! _Inshalla!_ those eyes! No--I must strike swift,
or he robs me of my strength."

For a long moment Miska hesitated.

"Then, I also remain, Chunda Lal, my friend! We will wait--and watch
-and listen for the bells--here--that tell they are in the grounds of
the house."

"Ah, Miska!" the glance of the Hindu grew fearful--"you are
clever--but _he_ is the Evil One! I fear for you. Fly now. There is
yet time ..."

A faint sound attracted Miska's attention. Placing a quivering finger
to her lips, she gently thrust Chunda Lal out into the corridor.

"He returns!" she whispered: "If I call--come to me, my friend. But we
have not long to wait!"

She closed the door.

CHAPTER V

WHAT HAPPENED TO STUART

Stuart had gained the end of the corridor, unmolested. There he found
a short flight of steps, which he descended and came to a second
corridor forming a right angle with the first. A lamp was hung at the
foot of the steps, and by its light he discerned a shadowy figure
standing at the further end of this second passage.

A moment he hesitated, peering eagerly along the corridor. The man
who waited was Chunda Lal. Stuart approached him and silently placed
in his hand the gold amulet.

Chunda Lal took it as one touching something holy, and raising it he
kissed it with reverence. His dark eyes were sorrowful. Long and
ardently he pressed the little trinket to his lips, then concealed it
under the white robe which he wore and turned to Stuart. His eyes were
sorrowful no more, but fierce as the eyes of a tiger.

"Follow!" he said.

He unlocked a door and stepped out into a neglected garden, Stuart
close at