"I hope that she will sleep till morning." Half an hour later, they rode through Sultanpetta.

It was quite dark now, and although there were people in the streets, Dick knew that at the rate they were riding, in the darkness, the fact that he was carrying a lad in front of him would scarce be noticed.

Nor would it be of any consequence if it were, as, even if they met any officer who should stop and question them, it would suffice to say that the lad had been taken ill; and that, their business being urgent, they were taking him on with them.
Four hours later they passed through Conkanelly, and crossed the bridge over a branch of the Cauvery.

Here Dick felt that his horse was flagging.

Halting, he dismounted, and lifted Annie down.