“There has been foul play!” he said, as he turned hurriedly to Moghul, who stood with a look of consternation on his face; for he could not hope to make the King believe that the girl had escaped, and, if he returned without her, he knew he would fall into disgrace. At this moment there came up a cry from Zeemit Mehal--purposely uttered, for she had heard Jewan’s voice. “That cry comes from Mehal,” he said, “or I am much mistaken. We shall soon know how the girl has escaped.” He hurried down, followed by the others. “What is the meaning of this?” he asked, as he bent over the wounded Zeemit. “Alas! it means that I have well-nigh lost my life in your cause. But Wanna, where is she?” she suddenly exclaimed, for she was anxious to know whether her foe lived, and had told Jewan anything. “The hag is dead,” he answered; “she lies almost pounded to a jelly at the foot of the tower.” “That is good,” Zeemit cried, with unfeigned joy. “She deserved it--she deserved it. Tempted by a heavy bribe offered by the girl, she was going to set her free; but I interfered to prevent it. We struggled, and both fell over.” “But the girl--where is she?” “Alas, she must have escaped! but I have no recollection of anything after I fell.” Jewan bit his lip. He felt that he was foiled, and it galled him almost beyond endurance. “How long is it since you saw her?” asked Moghul of Jewan. “Scarcely two hours.” “Then she cannot be far off; and we will find her if she has not got to the English quarters.” “Thou art a faithful servant,” said Jewan to Zeemit; “and shall have attention and ample reward. But you must wait until I return, for we shall have to recapture this woman.” As they went away Mehal smiled with satisfaction, in spite of the pain she was enduring; for she scarcely doubted that Flora had by this time discovered Walter Gordon, and the two were safe within the British lines. But fate had willed it otherwise. The men scarcely reached the compound, when the first thing that met their gaze was the bewildered Flora, flying unconsciously from the devoted lover who had perilled his life to save her. A stranger to the place, and almost blinded with terror, she was rushing frantically about to endeavour to find a way out of the grounds into the city. But her chance had passed. With a diabolical cry of glee, Jewan rushed forward, followed by Singh. Miss Meredith knew that she was pursued, though she was too confused to tell by whom. She darted away in the direction of some buildings that seemed to offer her a chance of hiding; but she was deceived. On she sped again, followed closely by the cowardly ruffians. She knew not where she was going to, she scarcely cared, so long as she could escape them. She would have thrown herself into a well, or dashed her brains out against a wall, if either had been at hand.