that sort. Can you
find out who has become possessed of them?"

"I might find out, sahib. Doubtless the men who looted the camp will
have sold the drugs to the native shops, for English drugs are highly
prized. Are there medicines that can act as the mistress of the zenana
wishes?"

"No; but there are drugs that when applied externally would give the
appearance of a terrible disease. There are acids whose touch would burn
and blister the skin, and turn a beautiful face into a dreadful mask."

"But would it recover its fairness, sahib?"

"The traces might last for a long time, even for life, if too much were
used, but I am sure Miss Hannay would not hesitate for a moment on that
account."

"But you, sahib--would you risk her being disfigured?"

"What does it matter to me?" Bathurst asked sternly. "Do you think love
is skin deep, and that 'tis only for a fair complexion that we choose
our wives? Find me the drugs, and let Rabda take them into her with
a line from me. One of them you can certainly get, for it is used, I
believe, by gold and silver smiths. It is nitric acid; the other is
caustic potash, or, as it is sometimes labeled, lunar caustic. It is in
little sticks; but if you find out anyone who has bought drugs or cases
of medicines, I will go with you and pick them out."

"There will be no difficulty about finding out where the English drugs
are. They are certain to be at one of the shops where the native doctors
buy their medicines."

"Let us go at once, then," Bathurst said. "You can prepare some harmless
drink, and Rabda will tell the mistress of the zenana it will bring out
a disfiguring eruption. We can be back here again this evening. Will
you be here, Rabda, at sunset, and wait until we come? You can tell the
woman that you have seen your father, and that he will supply her with
what she requires. Make some excuse, if you can, to see the prisoner.
Say you are curious to see the white woman who has bewitched the Nana,
and if you get the opportunity whisper in her ear these words, 'Do not
despair, friends are working for you.'"

Rabda repeated the English words several times over until she had them
perfect; then she made her way back to the palace, while Bathurst and
his companion proceeded at once to the spot where they had left their
vehicle.

They had but little difficulty in finding what they required. Many of
the shops displayed garments, weapons, jewelry, and other things, the
plunder of t