These were dreadful words coming from the head of the soldiery, but the little group had felt their truth before.
Luchman stood a minute longer in silence, and then wheeling abruptly said:
"Sahib, let us go!"
The heart of the missionary was lead. His distrust of the native came with overpowering force, and he was almost certain he meant to betray them into the hands of their enemies.
Dr. Avery stepped beside the good man and whispered:
"Don't let him see that you distrust him! We will go with him; at the first sign of treachery I will put a bullet through his skull."
Mr. Hildreth felt the wisdom of the suggestion, and acted upon it at once. Calling his wife to him, he said:
"Follow close behind me; we must make a start. Marian will follow the doctor. Luchman, we are ready. Under Heaven everything now depends upon you; lead the way."
The younger man was more distrustful of Luchman than was the elder. He had studied him closely, and he believed his sympathies were with the wretches of the torch and knife.
Furthermore, the doctor was confirmed in his suspicion by the course of Luchman respecting the wonderful diamond, the Star of India. When he showed it to him near Lucknow he declared that it was a present for Miss Hildreth, but the latter was in ignorance of such purpose, as her lover learned from several guarded questions during his first night in Delhi.