Chase and Selim came down upon this little low-toned picture.  The former paused an instant and smiled joyously in the darkness.

“Come,” was all he said.  Without a word the three arose and started off down the road.  A few hundred feet farther on, Selim abruptly turned off among the trees.  They made their way slowly, cautiously to a point scarcely a hundred feet from the wall and somewhat to the right of the small gate.  Here he left them and crept stealthily away.  A few minutes later he crept back to them, a soft hiss on his lips.

“Five men are near the gate,” he whispered.  “They watch so closely that no one may go to rescue those who have disappeared.  Friends are hidden inside the wall, ready to open the gate at a signal.  They have waited with Neenah all night.  And day is near, sahib.”

“We must attack at once,” said Chase.  “We can take them by surprise.  No killing, mind you.  They’re not looking for anything to happen outside the walls.  It will be easy if we are careful.  No shooting unless necessary.  If we should fail to surprise them, Selim and I will dash off into the forest and they will follow us, Then, Deppingham, you and Browne get Lady Deppingham inside the gate.  We’ll look out for ourselves.  Quiet now!”

Five shadowy figures soon were distinguished huddled close to the wall below the gate.  The sense of sight had become keen during those trying hours in the darkness.

The islanders were conversing in low tones, a word or two now and then reaching the ears of the others.  It was evident from what was being said, that, earlier in the evening, messengers had carried the news from Rasula to the town; the entire population was now aware of the astounding capture of the two heirs.  There had been rejoicing; it was easy to picture the populace lying in wait for the expected relief party from the chateau.

Suddenly a blinding, mysterious light flashed upon the muttering group.  As they fell back, a voice, low and firm, called out to them: 

“Not a sound or you die!”

Four unwavering rifles were bearing upon the surprised islanders and four very material men were advancing from the ghostly darkness.  An electric lantern shot a ray of light athwart the scene.

“Drop your guns—­quick!” commanded Chase.  “Don’t make a row!”

Paralysed with fear and amazement, the men obeyed.  They could not have done otherwise.  The odds were against them; they were bewildered; they knew not how to combat what seemed to them an absolutely supernatural force.

While the three white men kept them covered with their rifles, Selim ran to the gate, uttering the shrill cry of a night bird.  There was a rush of feet inside the walls, subdued exclamations, and then a glad cry.

“Quick!” called Selim.  The keys rattled in the locks, the bolts were thrown down, and an instant later, Lady Deppingham was flying across the space which intervened between her and the gate, where five or six figures were huddled and calling out eagerly for haste.