The two pair of legs and the one pair of hands forged ahead into the darkness none the less rapidly because the second pair of hands were resting,--with something in them--on yielding flesh. The fact indeed, or something else, seemed to make Gu-gu confidential. If the _Huzoor_, he said, with a shameless comprehension which made Lance inclined to use the knife then and there, wanted to give the alarm at the police camp, he was taking a long road to it. He, Gu-gu, could show him a shorter, if the _Huzoor_ would trust him. For a second Lance hesitated. He could not see the man's face; but there was a sort of cunning anxiety in the tone which was doubtful. Then, remembering that, short or long, he was equally at the man's mercy if he _chose to brave results_--though there seemed to be no reason why he should--he said quietly,-- "I told you to take the shortest." "The _Huzoor_ can dive?" asked Gu-gu. "He should, since he swims so strong." "Dive!" echoed Lance. "Yes, why?" Because the short way, Gu-gu explained, was by an underground passage which could be only reached from the river. Undoubtedly the _Huzoor_ was right, the passage had to do with the miracle; but there must have been more than one miracle in the old days, since there was quite a network of canals and caves, which could be more or less flooded at will. All the river people knew of them, but few ventured in; there was nothing to be gained by doing so, _as a rule!_ And the dive to reach the passage was long and awkward. But if the _Huzoor_ would trust-- "Go ahead!" broke in Lance, sharply. He _had_ to trust; and time meant everything. Besides, even in diving, he could have his revenge on that sleek, yielding back! For answer, Gu-gu altered his course with almost suspicious alacrity; though, once more, Lance could see no reason for treachery. A hundred rupees was a big bribe to a man who evidently had no personal interest in the matter; else, why should he have been on the island instead of in the row. But then Lance did not know of that call to death. So, through the dark, the one pair of hands and two pairs of legs forged ahead till a sudden arrest of the former gave Lance a dull shock once more. But this time Gu-gu's voice came quite cheerfully: "The city wall, _Huzoor_ This slave must feel if he goes up or down." Apparently it was up, and after a few minutes of crablike edging Gu-gu's voice came again:-- "The tunnel is below, Protector of the Poor. Let the most noble take the longest breath he ever breathed, then strike down till this mean one's legs cease moving. The most noble one's must cease also. The rest will this dust-like one accomplish. Save the breath. _That_ is in the _Huzoors_ own keeping. Therefore let him take time for filling; and when he is ready let him signal this slave with--with a knife-prick if he chooses!"