They entered the native quarters, looked under the canvases into the empty cages, from cellar to roof in the bungalow, when suddenly the captain missed Ahmed.
"Where is the Colonel Sahib's man ?" he asked bruskly.
"Possibly he is going the rounds of the animal cages," said Bruce, outwardly calm and shaking within.
"And thou, Ramabai, beware!" "Of what, Captain ?" coolly.
"Thou, too, hast meddled; and meddlers burn their fingers." "I am innocent of any crime," said Ramabai.

"I am watched, I know; but there is still some justice in Allaha." "Bully for you!" said Bruce in English.
The captain eyed him malevolently.
"Search the animal cages," he ordered.
Bruce, Ramabai and Pundita followed the captain.

He peered into the cages, one by one, and at length came to the leopard's cage.

And there was the crafty Ahmed, calmly stroking the leopard, which snarled suddenly.

Ahmed stood up with a fine imitation of surprise.