“But how did the King know that she was here?” “Some meddling fool, I suppose, in Delhi, informed him.” “That is bad. You cannot hope to regain her?” “No.” “Without she was to escape.” “Escape! What do you mean?” “You are dull. Supposing she were to escape, and you to re-capture her.” “But how should she escape.” “If bars and bolts were withdrawn, and doors and gates thrown open, why could she not walk out?” “I do not understand you.” “Supposing somebody was near her, who would offer her liberty.” “But who dare do this in defiance of the King?” “I.” “You!” “Yes.” “So, so,” Jewan muttered musingly. “I think I gather your meaning now. And yet I am not quite clear what you would propose to do, after she had escaped.” “The plan is simple. I go to Delhi. I seek out this woman. I pretend to be touched with some feeling of pity. I offer to aid her in escaping. She accepts that offer. She walks out of one trap into another. Once free from Delhi, she can be re-captured by you, and secretly conveyed away, so that the King shall no more find her.” “I like your plan,” Jewan added, after a pause; “but there is danger in it.” “Danger! How so?” “If the King were to get to know that I had had a hand in this, it would be my ruin.” “But how would he get to know? I should not tell him, and the Feringhee woman could not.” “True. If I can depend upon you, the plan might work.” “If you can! Why can you not? Have I not proved myself faithful?” “Yes.” “Then why these suspicions? They are unjust.” “Because there is so much danger in the plan that extreme caution is needed.” “I do not blame you for being cautious; but since you have been to so much trouble, and risked so much to gain this prize, it is worth some effort to try and retain her.” “That is so,” said Jewan, for he saw that the plan was quite possible, and the chances of once more getting Flora into his power was too strong a temptation to be resisted. “I think you reason well,” he continued; “and if you are cautious, we may succeed. At any rate, let us make the attempt. If you are true to me, I will pay you five hundred rupees the moment this woman is once more mine; but if you play me false, your life shall be forfeited.” “You need not threaten. I have served you well; I will serve you better. Get me assistance, so that my hurt may be attended to; and, when I have regained a little strength, I start for Delhi. Time shall prove how well I will serve you.” This was said significantly, but Jewan failed to catch its meaning.