"Tell him," growled Avery, "that nothing would give me more pleasure than to fill his carcass with lead."
Under the pretense of translating this savage remark, the young lady repeated her thanks. Then, Marian taking the arm of her escort, the two waved their host a respectful farewell and hurried into the street.
For several minutes they did not speak, but, walking rapidly, took advantage of every turn that presented itself. Dr. Avery was sure they were watched, and not until convinced they were safely beyond all surveillance did he speak.
"Do you know where we are?"
"I have a general knowledge of the direction," she said. "If we keep on, we shall soon reach the Cashmere Gate; but we are now approaching a part of the city where we shall meet many people. To avoid attention I must walk behind you, according to the custom in this part of the world."
"Your head is level," was the admiring comment of Dr. Avery, whose spirits began to rebound from their extreme depression; "but since I don't know anything about this town, you will have to guide me. When you want me to turn to the right call out 'Haw!' and when I am to go the other way, sing out 'Gee.' If I travel too fast shout 'Whoa!' and if I go too slow touch me up with anything you can lay hands on."
It need not be said that these heroic measures did not become necessary. Avery sauntered along in a natural manner. Whenever in doubt about the right course to take, he glanced behind him, and his fair guide had no difficulty in giving him the cue.
Before long, the massive city wall loomed up before them. The huge Cashmere Gate was open as usual, and crowds of people were coming in through it as well as through the Calcutta Gate and other openings, while only a few passed out. The first arrival of mutineers from Meerut was by way of the River Gate, the news of their coming reaching the cantonments about the middle of the forenoon.
Dr. Avery was making his way with care and a little trepidation through the crowd when some one touched his arm. Turning about, he was delighted to see that it was Luchman.
"Were you alarmed by our delay?" asked the surgeon.