"
"My jewels? I can take them, I suppose?"
He bowed. "They are in there? I will bring them, heavenborn!"
"Nonsense! You don't know where to find them."
"The ayah--will--will show me!"
He fitted the key into the lock and turned it, but Ruth was at his
side before he could pass in through the door.
"Nonsense, Risaldar! The ayah can't hurt me. You have taken her
knife away, and that is my room. I will go in there alone!"
She pushed past him before he could prevent her, thrust the door back
and peered in.
"Stay, heavenborn--I will explain!"
"Explain what?"
The dim light from the lamp was filtering in past them, and her eyes
were slowly growing accustomed to the gloom. There was something
lying on the floor, in the middle of the room, that was bulky and
shapeless and unfamiliar.
"Ayah!" said Ruth. "Ayah!"
But there was no answer.
"Where is she, Risaldar?"
"She is there, heavenborn!"
"Is she asleep?"
"Aye! She sleeps deeply!"
There was, something in the Rajput's voice that was strange, that
hinted at a darker meaning.
Pages:
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229