Page:The Slave Girl of Agra.djvu/195

 seen under the trees, as if on search. But the deep shadow of the bush in which Noren and Jelekha stood concealed them from view, and within a few moments all was silent and still.

Jelekha then drew a long breath. "They marked thee at the palace gate, and they marked thee entering the wood. They have not done with thee yet; a stronger party will come and search the wood soon if I caught their words correctly. Thou hast no time to lose."

"I understand not their movements, Jelekha. Why search for me here at night? I have been in the Court and in the city by day and by night; they might have faced me when they liked."

"That is not their way, foolish man. They assail not the Emperor's officer in the streets of Agra in broad daylight. But if some blood is spilt here at midnight these silent trees do not tell tales, and the earth receives the corpse in her bosom. But we are wasting time. Where is thy escort?"

"Forty miles ahead."

"How wilt thou reach that place to-night?"

"My horse waits in the stalls of Sambhunath the waggoner."

"That is well arranged; the waggoner lives close by. And knowest thou thy way to thy camp?"

"As well as the streets of Agra."

"Then be off, brave soldier, we shall meet again."

"And thou, Jelekha, how wilt thou escape?"

"I have seen worse dangers than this, and few are there in the land of Hind who can cage the wild eagle of Tartary when she takes to her wing."

"I will not move one inch from this spot, leaving thee to these prowling wolves."