, first, and certainly won't look for
you outside, until there has been a lot of talk over your absence. But
even if they do search, you will be able, in a few minutes, to walk
through the middle of them without being suspected.

"However, we will lose no time; and to begin with, I will cut off what
hair is necessary. I shall do it a good deal quicker than you would.
Then we will leave you to yourself, to stain your skin and put on your
disguise. When you have finished, clap your hands. Ibrahim will come
in and see that your disguise is all right, and that your turban
covers your hair. Then he will go with you. We shall be waiting near
the gate. There is practically no chance of your being asked any
questions, but if you are, and there is any difficulty, we will pass
you through all right. Having seen you on your way, we shall mount and
follow you."

The operation of cutting off Annie's hair, to the line of her ears,
was speedily done; then, with a few reassuring words, Dick joined
Surajah in the corridor. As they walked down it he said:

"I don't like leaving them to themselves. Look here, Surajah, you go
down to the stable, and mount at once. Tell the syce I shall come for
my horse in a few minutes. Then ride out, and take your post where you
can see them come out of the gate, and then follow them closely. I
will stay here, and see them safely through the gate, and then mount
and follow you. I shall overtake you before you get to the ford."

"That will perhaps be safest," Surajah agreed, "though I should think
there is no chance of her being suspected, seeing that she will be
with Ibrahim. Even if they met one of the Palace officers, and he
asked Ibrahim who he had with him, he could say it was a lad who had
come to you respecting some horses you had bought."

"Yes, that would do very well."

Dick returned to Ibrahim, who was squatting down in the corridor near
the door.

"I am going to follow you, until you are through the gate, and shall
keep a short distance behind you. If you should meet any officer on
your way out, who may ask you who you have with you, say he has come
with a message to me from a trader in the town. By the time you have
told him that, I shall be up."

"There is no chance of being questioned, my lord. People come and go
all day."

"That is so, Ibrahim, but one cannot be too careful."

They stood, talking together, until they heard Annie clap her hands
within. Ibrahim entered at once,