olonel Hare again. There is nothing like
suspense to squeeze hope and courage from the heart of man.

* * * * * *

On the night before the ordeal men moved cautiously about the elephant
arena. It was only after much persuasion and argument could Bruce hold
the men. At the testing of Lal Singh's wires and batteries they had
started to fly. This was devil's fire.

At the end of the arena, in a box which Bruce was to occupy, by order of
the council (where they proposed to keep an eye upon Umballa and to wring
his heart), the key to the wires was laid. This box was directly over a
wooden canopy where the mahouts loafed between fights. Back of this
canopy was a door which led outside. Through this Bruce proposed to lead
Kathlyn during the confusion created by the explosion. They had carried
off the keeper (who was also guardian of the arena), and the key to this
door reposed in Bruce's pocket.

On the day of the ordeal only the bedridden remained at home. The
temples, the palaces, the bazaars, all were deserted as thoroughly as if
the black wings of the plague had swept through the city. Even the crows
and the kites were there, the one chattering; the other soaring high
above.

Ramabai was forced to sit with the council, much to his terror. After
much pleading the council was prevailed upon to permit him to sit with
Bruce. A cordon of soldiers was accordingly detailed to surround Bruce's
box at the rear.

When Kathlyn arrived she was placed under the canopy: another bit of
kindly attention on the part of Umballa to twist the white man's heart.
But nothing could have happened more to the satisfaction of Bruce.

"Kathlyn Hare," he called out softly in Spanish, "do you hear and
understand me?"

"Yes," she replied in the same tongue. "Do nothing desperate. Don't
throw away your life. I have a sister in America. Will you tell her?"

"Listen. Under no circumstances leave the canopy. The lions come from
the other side. We are not only going to rescue but save you. Attend me
carefully. Behind you is a door. There will be an explosion in the
center of the arena. There was to be another under our friend Umballa,
but the battery was old. Press over toward that door. I have the key."

"Ah, Mr. Bruce!"

"Kathlyn, my name is John."

"The lions, the lions!" howled the populace.

It seemed to Bruce that he had been suddenly flung back into antiquity
and that Nero sat yo