It was past midnight, when Luchman leaped to his feet as though stung by a serpent.

"What's the matter?" asked Avery, who was startled by the slightest cause.

"Nothing, sahib; why do you ask?"

"Is that the way you always wake up?"

"Not always: have you seen anything new?"

"I am not sure. I saw a couple of Ghoojurs bear away that body, and I thought I detected others moving around the outside, but maybe I was mistaken."

"You were, sahib, for if any of them had come nigh, you could not have been mistaken."

"Are you through with your nap?"

"Yes, sahib; I will take no more till this is ended."

Avery looked sharply at him.