e man's
life is safe in the open, and he only told me today that he wouldn't let
me go away even if I were well enough to ride."

"First I've heard of rebellion!" said Cunningham aghast at the notion of
hearing news like that a second hand, and from a woman.

"Hasn't Alwa told you?"

"He hasn't had time to, yet."

"Then, you'd better ask him. If what he say is true--and I think he
tells the truth--the natives mean to kill us all, or drive us out of
India. Of course they can't do it, but they mean to try. He has been
more than kind--more than hospitable--more than chivalrous. Just because
he gave his word to another Rangar, he risked his life about a dozen
times to get my father and me and Ali Partab out of Howrah. But, I don't
think he quite liked doing it--and--this is in confidence--if I were
asked--and speaking just from intuition--I should say he is in sympathy
with the rebellion!"

"How long have you been here?" asked Cunningham.

"Several days--ten, I think. It seemed strange at first and rather awful
to be lodged on a rock like this in a section of a Rangar's harem!
Yes, there are several women here behind the scenes, but I only see the
waiting-women. I've forgotten time; the news about rebellion seems too
awful to leave room for any other thought."

"Who was the Rangar to whom Aliva gave his word? Not Mahommed Gunga, by
any chance?"

"Yes, Mahommed Gunga."

"Well, I'm--!" Cunningham clipped off the participle just in time.
"There is something, then, in the talk about rebellion! That man's been
talking in riddles to me ever since I came to India, and it looks as
though he knew long in advance."

He was about to cross-examine Miss McClean rigorously, even at the risk
of seeming either rude or else frightened; but before his lips could
frame another question he caught sight of Mahommed Gunga making signals
to him. He affected to ignore the signals. He objected to being kept in
the dark so utterly, and wished to find out a little for himself before
listening to what the Rangars had to say. But Mahommed Gunga started
over to him.

He could not hear the remark Mahommed Gunga made to Alwa over his
shoulder as he came.

"Had I remembered there was a woman of his own race here, I would have
plunged him straight into the fighting! Now there will be the devil
first to pay!"

"He has decision in at least one thing!" grinned Alwa.

"Something that I think thou lackest, cousin!" came the hot retort.

Alwa