The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-05

! The chain Of gold. representing the
betrothal. was now ordered brought from
the treasury.
The populace outside the palace. hav-
Ing been acquainted with what was TAX
ing place. burst out into cheers.
The treasure room. guarded by Loop
ards in charge Of incorruptible keepers.
was now approached by Cmballa and his
his order on the treasury. The leopards
were driven into their cages and the
magic door swung open. The two
sasped for breath, for Cmballa had
never before looked within. Everywhere
gold and gems-fabulous riches, enough
10 make man ten times a king.
| "Highness." whispered the captain.
there are enough riches here to pur-
chase the whole Of Hind"
AS he stared Cmballa surrendered to
a passing dream. Presently he shook
himself sought the chain for which he
had come and reluctantly stepped out
into the corridor again. He would re-
turn soon to this door, But for that
fool OF a white man who had saved the
King from the leopard he would have
opened this door long since As he
walked to the outer door he thought
briefly Of the beauty of Kathlyn. She
was dead. and dead likewise was his
passion for her.
Beyond the gate to the garden of
brides Ahmed and Lal Singh waited
| with elephants. From here they would
make the north gate, transfer to new
elephants and leave Alfalfa and its evil
| schemes behind. They created no sus-
p!c!on. There We're many elephants
about the palace this day. In one of
the howdahs sat Bruce. armed in the
| other Pundita, trembling with dread
So many times had SILVA, that evil
spawn, interviewed that Pundta would
not believe all was well till they had
crossed the frontier.
| They will be coming soon, Sahib,"
said Ahmed.
Bruce wiped the sweat from his
palms and nodded.
| Now, when Cmballa and his captain
Of the guard departed with the be-
trothal chain they did not firmly close
the outer door, which shut off the
leopards from the main palace. The
leopards We're Immediately freed and
began their prowling through the cor
ridors, snarling and growing as they
scented the air through which the two
men had just passed. One paused by
! a
paw. The door gave.
| In the throne room the mockery of
the betrothal was gone through, and
then the calm Ramabai secretly signi-
fled that the hour Of escape was at
hand: for everywhere. now that the
| ceremony was done, vigilance would
| he lax.
Immediately the high priest an
| nounced that the successful candidate
| would be conducted to the palace
zenana and confined there till the final
ceremonies We're over.
Umballa dreamed Of what he had
seen.
To Ramabai was given the exalted
honor OF conducting the king and his
betrothed to their respective quarters.
Once in the private passageway to the
harem, or zenana. Ramabai threw eau
ton to the winds.
| I'VE must go roundabout way to
the garden OF brides. which will be de-
serted. Outside the gate Bruce Sahih
and Ahmed and Lal Singh await with
elephants. Once we can join them we
are safe. And in months time l shall
return"
| Meantime one Of the leopard keepers
rushed frantically into the throne room,
eNclaiming that the seven guardian
leopards were at large. Even as he
spoke one OF the leopards appeared In
the musicians balcony. The panic
which followed was not to be described
\ wild scramble ensued toward all exits.
The fugitlves entered the royal ze-
mana. Kathlyn proceeded at once TO the
exit which led to the garden OF brides.
There she waited for her father and
Ramabai. who had paused by the door
| of one II the zenana chambers. Be-