death could sever.

"Thank you," said Cunningham quite quietly. "And now, Alwa-sahib"--(he
could strike while the iron glowed, could this son of Cunnigan!)--"for
the plan. There is little time. Jaimihr must escape tonight!"

"Sahib, did I understand aright?"

Alwa's jaw had actually dropped. He looked as though he had been struck.
Mahommed Gunga slammed his sabre ferule on the stone floor. He too, was
hard put to it to believe his ears.

"Jaimihr is the key to the position. He is nothing but a nuisance where
he is. Outside he can be made to help us."

"Am I dreaming, or art thou, sahib?" Alwa stood with fists clinched on
his hips and his legs apart--incredulous. "Jaimihr to go free? Why that
Hindoo pig is the source of all the trouble in the district!"

"We are neither of us dreaming, Alwa-sahib. Jaimihr is the dreamer. Let
him dream in Howrah City for a day or two, while we get ready. Let him
lead his men away and leave the road clear for us to pass in and out."

"But--"

"Oh, I know. He is your prisoner, and your honor is involved, and all
that kind of thing. I'm offering you, to set off against that, a much
greater honor than you ever experienced in your whole life yet, and I've
put my order in the shape of a request for the sake of courtesy. I ask
you again to let me arrange for Jaimihr to escape."

"I was mad. But it seems that I have passed my word!" swore Alwa.

"I give you your word back again, then."

"Bismillah! I refuse it!"

"Then I do with Jaimihr as I like?"

"I gave my word, sahib."

"Thanks. You'll be glad before we've finished. Now I've left the raising
of as many men as can be raised to you, Alwa-sahib. You will remember
that you gave your promise on that count, too."

"I will keep that promise, too, sahib."

"Good. You shall have a road clear by tonight."

He stepped back a pace, awaited their salute with the calm, assured
authority of a general of division, returned it, and left the two
Rajputs looking in each other's eyes.

"What is this, cousin, that thou hast brought me to?" demanded Alwa.

Mahommed Gunga laughed and shook his sabre, letting it rattle in its
scabbard.

"This? This is the edge of the war that I promised thee a year ago!
This is the service of which I spoke! This is the beginning of the
blood-spilling! I have brought thee the leader of whom we spoke in
Howrah City. Dost remember, cousin? I recall thy words!"

"Ay, I recall them. I said then that I would fol