Hilda thanked the Nawab, then, having directed her Baluchi escort to wait for her there, without the loss of a moment, turned to follow Shere Dil Khan, who had been chosen to accompany her. As they drew near the place of Raynier's confinement he said,-- "I have been ordered to be present throughout your interview, but I will not carry out that literally. You shall see your relation alone. This is the place." She entered the door he held open, then closed it behind her. She and Herbert Raynier were alone together. "Great Heavens!" cried the latter, sitting up and rubbing his eyes with amazement. "Great Heavens! Hilda!" "Yes, Hilda," she answered, her eyes brimming again. He had never seen her like this, and down went every barrier of conventionality. He had risen to his shackled feet, and now without further words she was locked in his close embrace. "How and when did they capture you?" he asked at length. "They did not capture me: I am free." "Free?" And his glance rested on her Gularzai attire, and seemed to freeze. "I am a thought reader, remember," she said, with a wan smile, as she followed his glance. "No, it is not as you think. I put on this disguise for safety's sake." And then, in as few words as possible, for time was valuable, she told him of her plan, and how it had failed. "But it has not failed," he answered emphatically. "It has given me the sight of your dear self once more. Oh, darling, to think that you should have undertaken such a thing--and for me. There is no other woman under the sun who would have done it." "Not if she--" "Say it, say it," he urged, holding her more closely. "Loved you. There. I will say it. I would say anything now. Listen, Herbert, can nothing be done? Can we not bribe some of them? I have money--plenty of it. Think quickly--time is so short. This one who speaks English so well, the Nawab's son. Is he to be bought?" "Oh, then he does speak English?" "Yes. Shall I offer him what his father refused? Shall I? Shall I?" "What did his father refuse?" "All I am worth--five lakhs of rupees. He said a million would be equally useless." "Hilda! You did not do this?" "I did. I would not have told you at any other time. But now--nothing seems to matter. Nothing--nothing." Words failed him, failed them both--but their understanding was complete; even as it had been during their wanderings together. Then nothing had been said, but every tone, every glance, had been an understanding in itself. And time was so precious. "Listen, Herbert. I have a plan. You shall put on my clothes, and pass out instead of me. By stooping a little you can diminish your height. And the veil will do the rest." "And these?" he said, clinking his fetters. "Ah, I forgot. Heaven help me, I forgot," she cried.