The spectators of this little drama which was hidden from them evinced their approval by a murmuring which had something like applause in it.  A queen was chosen!  A real queen at last had been chosen.  Ramabai had accomplished by diplomacy what yonder Durga Ram had failed to do by force.  But Umballa secretly smiled as he sensed this undercurrent.  Presently they should see.

The colonel extended his hand and drew Kathlyn up beside him; and now for a moment the whole affair trembled in the balance:  Kathlyn felt herself possessed with a wild desire to laugh.

The chain of gold, representing the betrothal, was now ordered brought from the treasury.

The populace, outside the palace, having been acquainted with what was taking place, burst out into cheers.

The treasure room, guarded by leopards in charge of incorruptible keepers, was now approached by Umballa and his captain of the guard.  Umballa presented his order on the treasury.  The leopards were driven into their cages, and the magic door swung open.  The two gasped for breath; for Umballa had never before looked within.  Everywhere gold and gems; fabulous riches, enough to make a man ten times a king.

“Highness,” whispered the captain, “there is enough riches here to purchase the whole of Hind!”

As he stared Umballa 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 return 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 Allaha and its evil schemes behind.  They created no suspicion.  There were many elephants about the palace this day.  In one of the howdahs sat Bruce, armed; in the other, Pundita, trembling with dread.  So many arms had Siva, that evil spawn, that Pundita 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 Umballa and his captain of the guard departed with the betrothal chain they did not firmly close the outer door, which shut off the leopards from the main palace.  The leopards were immediately freed and began their prowling through the corridors, snarling and growling as they scented the air through which the two men had just passed.  One paused by the door, impatiently thrusting out a paw.

The door gave.

In the throne room the mockery of the betrothal was gone through, and then the calm Ramabai secretly signified that the hour for escape was at hand; for everywhere, now that the ceremony was done, vigilance would be lax.