f the ranee, to offer to
go in search of her. It was a hazardous scheme; but Khan Cochut was a
daring man, and had convinced himself that timid measures rarely meet
with success.

As soon as he had seen Reginald's party to a safe distance, he sat down
to a breakfast which Bikoo, Balkishen's slave, had prepared for him;
while the Brahmin, who would have considered himself defiled by eating
in company with his friend, sat down to a more frugal meal by himself.
After having washed his hands and said his prayers, the Brahmin rejoined
the khan,--who considered neither of such ceremonies necessary,--and the
two then discussed their plans for the future. Balkishen undertook to
follow Reginald's party, accompanied by Bikoo, and to prevent them by
every means in his power from reaching the place of Nuna's concealment,
should they by any wonderful chance discover it; while Khan Cochut came
to the final resolution of returning to Allahapoor, and carrying out his
original plan.

They were about to part, when they were startled by a loud roar, such as
had never before echoed amid the walls of the temple. The Brahmin
trembled and looked very yellow, for he could not be said to turn pale.

"It must be that abominable tigress which I thought had been killed," he
exclaimed. "No mortal beast could have escaped being dashed to pieces
from the height she fell. I always said she was a djinn; and this
convinces me of the fact."

"She must have a hard head and strong bones, at all events," observed
Khan Cochut. "For my part, I don't believe either in good or evil
spirits; and the simplest way of stopping her roaring will be to put a
bullet through her head."

"Not unless you wish to bring curses on your own head and on mine,"
exclaimed the Brahmin, becoming still more yellow.

Meanwhile the roars continued.

"The brute will attract the attention of the whole neighbourhood,"
exclaimed Khan Cochut. "As for bringing a curse on my head, I am very
ready to run that risk. Only let me get a fair shot and I will quickly
silence her."

"There must be some opening at the foot of the tower, or we should not
hear the sounds so plainly," observed the Brahmin, "I will send Bikoo to
try and find out. It would be more satisfactory to have him torn to
pieces than ourselves."

"There is wisdom in that remark," coolly observed Khan Cochut; and Bikoo
was forthwith despatched by his master to explore the place into which
the tigress had tumbl