o are known to the Government! Men whom they
dare not try to make away with!

"It is true that if they should destroy the Gray Mahatma none would
inquire for him, for he left the world behind him long ago, and none
knows his real name or the place he can from. But that is not so in the
case of these other men, one of whom sits beside him now. Already
Maharajah Jihanbihar has inquired by telegraph as to their names and
their business here, and the Government agents will be here within a day
or two. Those two white men must be accounted for. Let them, then,
account to us for the Gray Mahatma's life!"

I glanced sideways at the Gray Mahatma. He seemed perfectly indifferent.
He was not even interested in the prospect of reprieve. I think his
thoughts were miles away, although his eyes stared straight ahead at
Yasmini. But he was interested in something, and I received the
impression that he was waiting for that something to happen. His
attitude was almost that of a telegraphist listening for sounds that
have a meaning for him, but none for the common herd. And all at once I
saw him nod, and beckon with a crooked forefinger.

There was nobody in that hall whom he was beckoning to. He was not
nodding to Yasmini. I saw then that his eyes, although they looked
straight at her, were focused beyond her for infinity. And there came to
mind that chamber in the solid rock below the Tirthankers' temple in
which the granite table stood on which whoever knew the secret could see
anything, anywhere! I believe that I am as sane as you, who read this,
and I swear that it seemed reasonable to me at that moment that the Gray
Mahatma knew he was visible to watchers in that cavern, and that he was
signaling to them to come and rescue him--from life, for the appointed
death!

But Yasmini seemed not to have noticed any signaling, and if she did she
certainly ignored it. Perhaps she believed that her hornet's nest of
women could stand off any invasion or interference from without. At any
rate, she went on unfolding her instructions to destiny with perfectly
sublime assurance.

"It is only we women who can arouse India from the dream of the
_Kali-Yug_. It is only in a free India that the Royal sciences can ever
be stripped of their mystery. India is chained at present by opinions.
Therefore opinions must be burst or melted! Melting is easier! It is
hearts that melt opinions! Let these men, therefore, take this Gray
Mahatma with them to the