That the Europeans were within the temple on the arrival of the assassins was certain, since the murmur of their voices was plainly heard.
What, then, meant the delay?
A couple of the miscreants approached Ramsurun Duss and questioned him. He was as impatient as they, and declared that if their victims did not soon appear he would lead his followers into the refuge after them.
The rest were hardly prepared for this, and one proposed they should go after re-enforcements before undertaking so perilous a task. Ramsurun Duss replied that they had more than enough, and a larger number would make too small a share of the loot.
He did not wish any more to be admitted on the "ground floor."
This statement kept matters quiet for another half hour, when the same Ghoojurs threaded their way to the side of their leader to learn what he meant to do.
He was in ill humor, and declared that he would not wait much longer. Since he was the most courageous of the party, he took upon himself the task of learning why the Europeans persisted in staying within the temple.
At last the ruffian decided to steal through the arched way. If challenged he would say that he was a messenger from Luchman, who sent word that they must not delay their departure another minute, as every hour added to their peril. Since the missionary spoke Hindustani, there would be no trouble in communicating with him, and Ramsurun Duss was sanguine of completely deceiving the good man.
In the event of being suspected, or if violent hands were laid upon him, he would make an outcry that was to be answered by a rush on the part of the rest of the Ghoojurs.
It cannot be said that the subordinate relished this part of the undertaking; but he considered detection so unlikely that it was practically out of the question. Besides, he wished to set the example to his men which they needed.