Pundita’s narrative was rather long but not uninteresting.  She had learned English from the old white priest who had died during the last plague.  She was of high caste; and far back in the days of the Great Mogul in Delhi her forebears had ruled here; but strife and rebellion had driven them forth.  In order that her immediate forebear might return to their native state and dwell in peace they had waived all possible rights of accession.  They had found her husband standing over a dead man in the bazaars.  He was innocent.

Umballa smoothed his chin.  Pundita had not told her queen how he, Umballa, had made the accusation, after having been refused money by Ramabai.  He secretly admired the diplomacy of the young woman.  He did not at this moment care to push his enmity too far.  As a matter of fact, he no longer cared about her; at least, not since his arrival at the Hare wild animal farm in California.

“Where is this man Ramabai confined?” demanded Kathlyn.

“In the murderers’ pit in the elephant arena.”

“Send and bring him here.  I am certain that he is innocent.”

So they brought in Ramabai in chains.  Behind him came a Nautch girl, at whom Umballa gazed puzzledly.  What part had she in this affair?  He soon found out.

“Who are you?” he asked.

“I am Lalla Ghori, and I live over the shoemaker, Lal Singh, in the Kashmir Gate bazaar.  I dance.”

“And why are you here?”

“I saw the murder.  Ramabai is innocent.  He came upon the scene only after the murderer had fled.  They were fighting about me,” naively.  “I was afraid to tell till now.”

“Knock off those chains,” said Kathlyn.  Of Pundita she asked:  “Does he, too, speak English?”

“Yes, heaven born.”

“Then for the present he shall become my bodyguard.  You shall both remain here in the palace.”

“Ah, Your Majesty!” interposed Umballa.  Pundita he did not mind, but he objected to Ramabai, secretly knowing him to be a revolutionist, extremely popular with the people and the near-by ryots (farmers), to whom he loaned money upon reasonable terms.

“If I am queen, I will it,” said Kathlyn firmly.  “If I am only a prisoner, end the farce at once.”

“Your majesty’s word is law,” and Umballa bowed, hiding as best he could his irritation.

The next afternoon he began to enact the subtle plans he had formed regarding Kathlyn.  He brought her certain documents and petitions to sign and went over them carefully with her.  Once, as she returned a document, he caught her hand and kissed it.  She withdrew it roughly, flaming with anger.  He spread his hands apologetically.  He was on fire for her, but he possessed admirable control.  He had the right to come and go; as regent he could enter the zenana without being accompanied by the council.  But, thereafter, when he arrived with the day’s business she contrived to have Pundita near and Ramabai within call.  On the sixth day he cast all discretion to the winds and seized her violently in his arms.  And, though she defended her lips, her cheeks and neck were defiled.  She stepped back; the hidden dagger flashed.