"Yes, you shall be commander," said the Princess, seriously. "It will save my country, for my people will follow you to the death." "Well, 'pon my word, Princess," said Chumbley, merrily, "you are a precious clever, sensible woman, and I like you after all." "And I like you," she said, innocently. "I do not love you, but I like you very much, you seem so brave and true, and what you people call frank. You will help me, will you not, both of you? Think how I appealed to Mr Harley for help--how that almost my life depends upon it--and what did I get but empty words?" "You did not get much, certainly," said Chumbley. "Then talk to your friend, and advise him. He will do what you say." "No," said Chumbley, laughing, "that is just what he will not do. If ever there was a man who would not take my advice, it is Hilton." "Try him now that he is here--now that he knows how useless it is to fight against his fate. Speak to him, and speak kindly!" she whispered. "I am going to my women now." She took one step towards Hilton, holding out her hand to him in a gentle, appealing manner; but he only bowed distantly, and turned away. The soft, appealing look passed from the Inche Maida's face, giving place to an angry frown; but this died out as she turned to Chumbley. "We two are friends, I hope?" she said, holding out her hand. "You are not angry with me?" "Well, not very," he replied, smiling; "one can't be angry with a woman long for such a trick as this." "Yes," she said, quickly, "it is a trick, as you English call it. I have won the trick." "Yes, you have won the trick," assented Chumbley; "but you don't hold the honours," he added to himself. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "I am glad that you are wise," she said, smiling now. "I will go, and my people shall bring you dinner." "Thanks," said Chumbley; "that is the kindest act you can do to us now; only please forget the poison." "Poison!" she cried, indignantly. "How dare you say that to me! You are prisoners here, but you are quite safe while you do not try to escape. Have I done so little to make myself an Englishwoman that you talk of poison?" "Yes," said Chumbley to himself, "so little to make yourself an Englishwoman that you play upon us such a trick as this!" The door opened, the Inche Maida passed through; and as the curtain fell down again and covered the opening, Hilton turned angrily upon his friend. VOLUME TWO, CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR. A NIGHT OF TERROR. It was night before Helen again woke, and her first thought was of escape; but as she softly rose to a sitting posture, she felt that one of the girls was by her side, and as she listened to her regular breathing, and tried in the darkness to collect her thoughts and to recall exactly where the door and window lay, the black night seemed a little less black just in one particular part of the room, and she realised that the window must lie there.