His comrade followed his example. They exchanged a few remarks to keep themselves awake. One drank from a bottle in his girdle and offered it to the other, whereupon their dropping remarks fell off into silence. And now no one in all the camp was awake but Tom and the snake-charmer. It was nearing midnight, but the moon--which was on the wane, but which in this clear atmosphere diffuses a brilliant light--enabled them to see their way, and they both arose. 'Now is our time,' said the snake-charmer, chuckling. He was none other than Subdul, Snow-queen's groom. 'Are you sure they are well settled?' said his master. 'I have given them bhang, Highness. That, and the excitement of the evening, will make them sleep like the dead; no noise will awake them. But the nights are short; why does my master linger?' 'Are you sure _she_ is not a prisoner, Subdul? Might she not come with us if we told her our design?' 'If my master means the Ranee, I tell him that she is black--black at heart and false of speech. Let not my master trust her.' 'What do you know of her, Subdul?' 'I know what these have told me. Does my lord know Dost Ali Khan?' 'The adopted son of the rajah of that name?' cried Tom, with some excitement; 'why, I entertained him once. I have now a pass from him about me. Has he anything to do in this?' 'He has everything to do. He is the hope of thousands. They crowd round him as their lord. If my master has won Dost Ali Khan's favour he is lucky. This man, my lord, this so-called prince, has, as I hear, persuaded the White Ranee to join herself to him. She was married to an English sahib, and she saw him slain. She looked on at the slaughter of her countrymen and women, and now, in her new lord's name, she is taking command of the murderers. If my master wants any more proof that she is a traitress----' 'Silence, Subdul! She is coming!' 'Master! master!' cried the man in strong excitement, 'now is the time to fly!' 'I must let her speak to me first.' 'No, no; let my master listen to me! She is a witch; she will enslave him.' 'Nonsense, Subdul; I know her, I tell you. Be silent!' murmured Tom, whose heart was beating strangely. And all this time the White Ranee, with veil thrown back, and face looking pure and spiritual in the moonlight, was making her way quietly through the sleepers of the camp towards the spot where Tom was standing. They were alone now, Subdul having disappeared. Tom did not move, for a spell seemed to be over him; so she went close to him and laid her hand on his arm. Then a sudden trembling seized him. 'Who are you?' he said, in a low voice. 'Surely you know me,' she answered. 'I know you, Tom Gregory. Why did you run away from Delhi without seeing me again?' 'Why are you here?' he said sternly. 'You are impolite, my dear boy. A question should be answered.'