But Colonel Hare knew where the silver basket lay hidden, heaped with gold and precious stones; and torture could not wring the hiding-place from him.

May he be damned to the nethermost hell! Let him, Durga Ram, but bury his lean hands in that treasure, and Daraka swallow Allaha and all its kings! Rubies and pearls and emeralds, and a far country to idle in, to be feted in, to be fawned upon for his riches! And Ramabai and his wife, Pundita, let them beware; let them remain wisely in their house and meddle not with affairs of state.
"A thousand rupees!" Umballa looked up with a start.

Unconsciously he had wandered into the slave mart.

He shrugged and would have passed on but for the strange, unusual figure standing on the platform.

A golden haired woman with neck and arms like Chinese bronze and dressed in a skirt of grass! He paused.
"Two thousand rupees!" "What!" jeered the professional seller.