"My supply is rather scant, and this doesn't equal the cheroots I brought from Calcutta, but it beats nothing by a thousand per cent. It is such a solace in these horrible nights that I pity those who don't use it. How nice now it would be if Mr. Hildreth could enjoy a good pipe, and what a comfort for Mrs. Hildreth and Marian—Ah!" he exclaimed, "I must draw the line there."
He smoked until there were ashes only, when he refilled the cocoanut bowl.
"Kurnal isn't such a great distance from Delhi," he added, his thoughts drifting in another direction, "and it seems to me we have journeyed far enough to reach it, but I suppose our course has not always been a direct one—I declare!" he muttered, looking around in the grove, "I've heard that noise a dozen times; what can it mean?"
CHAPTER XXXVII.
FROM DAWN TO DAYLIGHT.
A low, tremulous whistle sounded on the still night, as it had sounded several times. Rising to his feet, Dr. Avery returned the call, which was immediately repeated. Several exchanges followed, and then Luchman walked forward, and the two cordially greeted each other.
"That was the very signal we agreed upon," remarked the surgeon; "but I forgot all about it until I heard it several times."
In answer to the inquiries of the guide, Avery said that the family of the missionary were sleeping but a few yards away, while he was acting as sentinel—a stupid one, he confessed—but thus far everything had gone well.
Luchman listened with interest to the story of his friend, after which he told his own. When he entered the temple he found that Wana Affghar had betrayed him, and he resolved that, come what might, he would slay the perfidious miscreant, no matter what the consequences to himself might be.
By means of lighted matches he examined the well trodden soil in front of the arched way, but was surprised when he failed to find the delicate imprint of the ladies' shoes leading outward. He began to think matters might not be as bad as he supposed. Then came the suspicion he had entertained all along, namely that there was underground communication with the temple, and that providentially the fugitives had availed themselves of it.