“I have gone through much; I can go through more,” calmly replied Kathlyn.  “But I shall never wear a precious stone again, if I live.  I abhor them!”

“I am my father’s daughter,” said Winnie.

“Put the howdahs on the two elephants,” Umballa ordered.

The men obeyed clumsily, being fishermen by occupation and mahouts by compulsion.

Kathlyn tried in vain to see where they were taking Bruce and the others.  Some day, if she lived, she was going to devote a whole day to weeping, for she never had time to in this land.  The thought caused her to smile, despite her despair.

When the elephants were properly saddled with the howdahs Umballa gave his attention to the prisoners.  He hailed them jovially.  They were old friends.  What could he do for them?

“Conduct us to the seaport,” said the colonel, “and on my word of honor I will tell you where we have hidden the treasure.”

“Ho!” jeered Umballa, arms akimbo, “I’d be a fool to put my head into such a trap.  I love you too well.  Yet I am not wholly without heart.  Tell me where it lies and I will let you go.”

“Cut our throats at once, you beast, for none of us will tell you under any conditions save those I have named.  Men,” the colonel continued, “this man is an ingrate, a thief and a murderer.  He has promised you much gold for your part in this.  But in the end he will cheat you and destroy you.”

Umballa laughed.  “They have already had their earnest.  Soon they will have more.  But talk with them—­plead, urge, promise.  No more questions?  Well, then, listen.  Reveal to me the treasure and you may go free.  If you refuse I shall take you back to Allaha—­not publicly, but secretly—­there to inflict what punishments I see fit.”

“I have nothing more to say,” replied the colonel.

“No?  And thou, white goddess?”

Kathlyn stared over his head, her face expressionless.  It stirred him more than outspoken contempt would have done.

“And you, pretty one?” Umballa eyed Winnie speculatively.

Winnie drew closer to her sister, that was all.

“So be it.  Allaha it shall be, without a meddling Ramabai; back to the gurus who love you so!” He dropped his banter.  “You call me a murderer.  I admit it.  I have killed the man who was always throwing his benefits into my face, who brought me up not as a companion but as a plaything.  He is dead.  I slew him.  After the first, what are two or three more crimes of this order?” He snapped his fingers.  “I want that treasure, and you will tell me where it is before I am done with you.  You will tell me on your knees, gladly, gladly!  Now, men!  There is a long journey before us.”

The colonel, Kathlyn and Winnie were forced into one howdah, while Umballa mounted the other.  As for the quasi-mahouts, they were not particularly happy behind the ears of the elephants, who, with that keen appreciation of their herd, understood instinctively that they had to do with novices.  But for the promise of gold that dangled before their eyes, threats of violent death could not have forced them upon the elephants.