[Illustration: THE ATTACK IN THE GALLERY] CHAPTER THE SIXTH NURLA BAI DISAPPEARS Bob never knew how long he lay unconscious on the floor of the gallery. When he came to himself he was in darkness: only the smoky atmosphere remained to bear witness to the reality of the torches. He rose dizzily to his feet, feeling sick and giddy as the result both of his blow and of the close air, and groped his way slowly to the entrance. There the cool breeze somewhat revived him; but he found it difficult to make his way past the obstacles which had given him no trouble before. To scale the fences cost much labour, and he was near fainting by the time he reached the house. Having no key with him, he had to waken the darwan who lay wrapped in rugs on his mat before the door. The man was much surprised to see him, but said nothing as he gave him admittance. Bob crept upstairs quietly; his uncle’s door was open, and he managed to cross the room without waking him. Then he dropped on to his bed and nudged his brother. "You’re a juggins," said Lawrence rather unfeelingly, when he had heard the story. "That’s the sort of thing they do in the school stories, when the bold bad bully climbs down the gutterpipe and sneaks off to the pub to play cards and swill swipes. But I say, you’re not hurt, old man?" "The whack on the head rather crumpled me up," replied Bob. Lawrence was out of bed in a trice, lit his candle, and bent over his brother. "There’s a bump as big as a duck’s egg," he said. "Jolly lucky your head’s hard, old chap! Turn over, and I’ll bathe it." In getting the water-can he stumbled over his boots, making a slight noise. "It’s time you fellows were asleep, came a muffled voice through the door. Mr. Appleton had awoke, and fancied that the boys had not yet settled down for the night. "Shall we tell him?" said Lawrence. "I meant to wait till morning, but as he’s awake--yes, I think we had better." Lawrence opened his uncle’s door. "I say, Uncle," he said, "Bob fancied he heard burglars and went prowling without a knuckle-duster----" "Go to bed," growled Mr. Appleton, only half awake. "It’ll keep till morning, but I think you had better hear it now. I’ll tell you through the doorway while I bathe Bob’s head." "What’s wrong with his head?" When Lawrence explained how Bob had seen a glow from the window, in the Pathan section of the mine, Mr. Appleton sat up, now thoroughly awakened. He listened to the rest of the story in silence. At its conclusion he said: "Just cut downstairs and tell that fellow at the door to hold his tongue about it. Why on earth didn’t you wake me at once, Bob, instead of playing that schoolboy trick?" "I didn’t want to disturb you."