He had wanted no witnesses to what he meant to do.
"How camest thou hither, slave ?" he asked fiercely.
And Roy gave him back the simple truth, no more, no less; but it was sufficient.
"Her Highness Khanzada Khanum brought me hither to be with the Heir-to-Empire ere she left at sunset." Kumran started back.

"Left?
Hath she left already ?" he asked, his face paling.

So he stood for a moment irresolute, the words of his own oath pealing through his brain, "By the memory of my father I promise." That was not one which any son of Babar's was ever likely to break.

"Sheath your swords, fools!" he said at last bitterly; "they are not needed.

I am not the first man who has been outwitted by a woman.".