CHAPTER XXXV.
EUREKA!
As soon as the Ghoojurs learned that the Europeans had fled, their courage came back, and they made a scrambling rush for the interior of the temple. A brief search proved the truth of their leader's declaration, the only objects found being the overturned idol and the inanimate body of Harkins. The latter was plundered so shamelessly that it told the truth to Luchman the moment his eyes fell upon it.
The Feringhees had departed, and, when the Ghoojurs found that nothing remained for them to do, they took up their march to the camp of Wana Affghar, which they reached a half hour after the departure of Luchman the guide.
The time has come in to make an explanation.
Going back a few hours in the thread of our narrative, the reader will remember that Dr. Avery and the family of the missionary were grouped together in the passage way, watching the meeting between Luchman and Wana Affghar. Not an eye was removed until the departure of their friend in the company of the Ghoojur chieftain.
They could not mistake the meaning of what they saw. The bargain had been struck between the two. The fugitives must remain within the temple until the hour fixed upon by Luchman for their departure.
"If nothing is seen or heard of them," said the surgeon, "by the time it is dark we shall gain the start that ought to secure safety for us all. But I wouldn't give much for the life of Luchman after he parts with the diamond."
At this juncture, while the conversation was of no special interest, Marian related her singular experience of the night before. Avery was interested at once.
"Have you any idea of the hour?" he asked.