and rip these Rangars from their roost.
Those that are not crucified will be thrown down from the summit, and
there shall be a Hindoo shrine where they have worshipped their false
god. Then, sahiba, if thou art here--perhaps--there might--yet--be a
way-perhaps, yes?--a way, still, to escape me?"

She was trembling. She could not help beginning to believe him. Whatever
might be true of what he said was certainly not comforting.

"But, while my army comes in search of me, my brother Howrah will be
making merry with my palace and belongings. There will be devastation
and other things in my army's rear for which there is no need and
for which I have no stomach. I detest the thought of them, sahiba.
Therefore, sahiba, I would drive a bargain. Notice, sahiba, I say not
one word of love, though love such as mine is has seldom been offered
to a woman. I say no word of love--as yet. I say, help me to escape by
night, when I may make my way unseen back to my men: enable me to reach
Howrah before my dear brother is aware of my trouble and before his men
can start plundering, and name your own terms, sahiba!"

Name her own terms--name her own terms--name her own terms! The words
dinned through her head and she could grasp no other thought. She was
alone in a cell with Jaimihr, and she could get out of it if she would
name her terms! She must name them--she must hurry--what were they? What
were her terms? She could not think.

"Understand, sahiba. Certain things are sure. It is sure my men will
come. It is sure that every Rangar on this rock will meet a very far
from pleasant death--"

He grinned, and though she could not see him grin, she knew that he was
doing it. She knew that he was even then imagining a hundred horrors
that the Rangars would endure before they died. She might name her
terms. She could save them.

"No!" she hissed hoarsely. "No! They are my terms! I name them! You must
spare them--spare the Rangars--spare every man on this hill, and theirs,
and all they have!"

"Truly are those thy terms, sahiba?"

"Truly! What others can I ask?"

"They are granted, sahiba!"

"Oh, thank God!"

She knew that he was speaking at least half the truth. She knew his
power. She knew enough of Howrah City's politics to be convinced that
he would not be left at the mercy of a little band of Rangars. She knew
that there were not enough Rangars on the whole countryside to oppose
the army that would surely come to his rescue.