“How?”
“Don’t quite know yet, but something in this style: I shall lay a trap in such a way in the passage, or whatever it is, so that he’ll step on a small bag of powder and fire it off. He won’t come again. Now, good-night.”
“Good-night,” said Dick. “But, I say, don’t reckon too much upon my idea.”
“I shall!” said Wyatt. “Once more, good-night; for, whatever time it is, it does not look like day.”
“Good-night,” said Dick; and ten minutes after, utterly worn out by their exertions, they were both of them fast asleep.
Stringent orders were given as soon as Wyatt woke that the last night’s trouble should not be named outside; but the order was issued in vain. The noise and excitement had been heard and seen, and the native servants were questioned, with the result that by degrees the news, greatly exaggerated, reached the Rajah’s ears, after it had passed through those of his people to the Ranee, who told him herself.
Both Wyatt and Dick were later than they had intended to be, and after a short morning parade they visited the wounded, found the men in a serious condition, but with the doctor hopeful, and then went and had a long consultation with Hulton.
“Go and search, by all means,” he said, “but I would do it so as not to excite attention. It is hardly likely, to my mind. But be careful; we do not know who are friends and who are foes.”
“If I had full command in the city,” growled Wyatt, “I’d soon find out. But look here, we are going to have a good hunt round. Will you come? Strong enough?”
“Yes, I think so,” replied Hulton; “and I’ll try.”