me accustomed to the
altered focus and the deeper black, her beady eyes picked out the whites
of his. Before he could move she was on him--at his throat, tearing it
with thin, steel fingers. Before he could utter a sound, or move, she
had drawn a short knife from her clothing and had driven it to the hilt
below his ear. He dropped without a gurgle, and without a sound she
gathered up her broom again and swept her way back past the cage-bars,
where Ali Partab waited.

"Was any there?" he whispered.

"There was one."

"And--?"

"He was."

"Good! Now will the reward be three mohurs instead of two!"

"Where are they?"

"These pigs have taken all the money from me. Now we must wait until
Mahommed Gunga-sahib comes. His word is pledged."

"He said two mohurs."

"I--Ali Partab--pledge his word for three."

"And who art thou? The bear in the cage said: 'I will eat thee if I get
outside!"'

"Mother of corruption! Listen! Alwa must know! Canst thou escape from
here? Canst thou reach the Alwa-sahib?"

"If the price were four mohurs, there might be many things that I could
do."

"The price is three! I have spoken!"

"'I would eat honey were I outside!' said the bear."

"Hag! The bear died in the cage, and they sold his pelt for how much?
Alive, he had been worth three mohurs, but he died while they bargained
for him!--Quick!"

"I am black, sahib, and the night is black. I am old, and none would
believe me active. They watch the gates, but the bats fly in and out."

"Find out, then, what has happened to my horses, left at the
caravansary; give that information to the Alwa-sahib. Tell the
Miss-sahib at the mission where I am. Tell her whither I have sent thee.
Tell the Alwa-sahib that a Rangar--by name Ali Partab--sworn follower of
the prophet, and servant of the Risaldar Mahommed Gunga--is in need and
asks his instant aid. Say also to the Alwa-sahib that it may be well to
rescue the Miss-sahib first, before he looks for me, but of that matter
I am no judge, being imprisoned and unable to ascertain the truth. Hast
thou understood?"

"And all that for three mohurs?"

"Nay. The price is now two mohurs again. It will be one unless--"

"Three, sahib! It was three!"

"Then run! Hasten!"

The shadows swallowed her again. She crept where they were darkest--lay
still once, breathless, while a man walked almost over her--reached the
outer wall, and felt her way along it until she reached low eaves that
reached