There was nothing for it but to let go, snatch at the branches as he fell and trust to chance for safety.

He found it; and dropped to the ground amid a perfect shower of shed peach petals.
So he stood for an instant to consider what must come next.

A gate! Aye! but which?
The farthest from the point of attack would be the best, as there would be less vigilance there.

That meant the Delhi gate, and meant also a long round; yet he must be quick, for already there was a faint lightening of the eastern sky.

But the moon had set and the shadows, always darker in the hour before dawn, lay upon all things.
And luckily he knew every turn of the Bala Hissar garden, knew every point where danger might be expected.