And you must decide quickly, Durga Ram, for even now they are preparing for night, and this time they will go far." "Lead on." "Send the guards back to the palace." Umballa made a sign with his hand, but another with his eyes.

The guards fell back to the palace steps, understanding perfectly that they and others were to follow unseen.

Umballa knew instinctively that this was a trap.

He would apparently walk into it unsuspectingly; but those who sprung the trap would find no rat, but a tiger.

And after the manner of hungry tigers, he licked his chops.