“‘So!’ exclaimed this royal reprobate as he reflected upon the picturesque possibilities to himself, in view of the sanguinary temptation which the helpless resident would present to the ambitious Queen Rani Rue. ‘How far in advance of the detachment are you?’
“‘About one hour’s march.’
“‘This is short reckoning. You have hastened with leaden feet.’
“‘Nay, your highness,’ cried the Hindoo, ‘I came the instant I heard. There is still time to escape, and the way is known to you alone.’
“‘So be it,’ returned the prince as an expression of savage determination compressed his thin lips and ignited baleful fires in his restless eyes. ‘Await me without; I will join you presently.’
“As the Hindoo turned to obey, the prince darted, with lithe haste, into the inner room and pressed the spring in the wall.
“Slowly the panel rolled aside and revealed the glittering pyramid of gems within.
“From the depths, just in the rear of the priceless heap, he withdrew a sort of jacket, separated upon its upper edge into a series of openings similar to the partitions of a cartridge-belt.
“Into these, with a sort of clumsy trepidation, he began to pack the almost elusive portions of the gleaming mass of brilliants from the recess.
“At the conclusion of fifteen vital minutes the prince had deposited the last of the gems in the receptacles of this curious jacket, and, if the reports of the Hindoo were to be credited, the advancing British were that much nearer the Kutub.