"It is all right, master; you can go on fearlessly."
Meinik returned with him to the window, and posted himself outside, standing in the shadow; while Stanley stepped in through the open casement which, indeed, was provided only with a shutter outside. This would ordinarily have been closed but, owing to the illness of the prisoner, and the strong desire of the governor that he should live to be sent to Ava, it had been opened to allow a free passage of air.
The trooper sprung from his couch, as Stanley made a slight sound before attempting to enter; but Stanley said, in Hindustani:
"Silence! It is I, Mr. Brooke."
The trooper stared doubtfully at the dark, tattooed, half-naked figure.
"It is I, Runkoor, but I am disguised. I was like this when I spoke to you through the window a fortnight since, but you could not then see my figure.
"Are you awake, Harry?" he asked in English, as he approached the pallet.
"Yes, I am awake; at least I think so. Is it really you, Stanley?"
"It is I, sure enough, man," Stanley replied, as he pressed the thin hands of the invalid. "Did not Runkoor tell you that I had been here before?"
But Harry had broken down, altogether. The surprise and delight was too much for him, in his weak state.