“I don’t know why,” said Dick, “but after that I was happier, somehow. I used to have the idea that Georgia was there, and we held long conversations”--Georgia’s eyes met Mabel’s significantly--“and so I grew better. Of course I was wild to get away, but there was always that rope-ladder, and the very thought of it turned me sick. Old Faiz-Ullah promised faithfully that in a few days he would help me up it, and escort me through the mountains to this place, so that I might get in if I could, and three nights ago he went to meet the Begum’s servant when she brought the food, intending to ask if they could find me a pony. But that night there was the worst earthquake I have ever felt”--the rest exchanged glances--“and he never came back. The noise was fearful, and as shock after shock came, I never for a moment expected to live through it. But the cave was not damaged, and when I crawled out in the morning, the rope-ladder was still there. I waited for the old man, but he did not come, and there was no food left. At last I decided that something must have happened to him, and I determined to make the attempt sooner than starve to death. I don’t know how long I hung between heaven and earth on that awful ladder, but I got to the top at last, and followed Faiz-Ullah’s track. Before very long I found him, poor old fellow! crushed under a fallen rock, quite dead. I hunted about for some stones that I could lift to put over him, to keep off the leopards, and then I started. If any food had been brought the night before, it was buried under the rock with him, so I had no time to lose. I knew roughly where I was, and I set my course as best I could by the sun. I went from hiding-place to hiding-place, sometimes crawling, and sometimes able to walk. I dared not rest long anywhere, for I knew I should starve even if the enemy didn’t find me. I got across the Akrab Pass almost by a miracle. Bahram Khan was holding a _jirgah_ with the tribesmen, and they had no scouts out except in the direction of Nalapur. After taking a good look at them, I crept round below and got through. And after that I went on somehow, I don’t remember how, and at last I worked round by our house, and into the hills where the canal comes from, and got across on a landslip, where the water was shallow, and here I am.” “When you ought to be in bed,” said Dr Tighe. “You don’t deserve it, after your outrageous behaviour in defying the profession, but I’d like to overhaul you, and see if nature hasn’t left any little crevices that art may manage to patch up.” “Art must go to work quickly, then,” said Dick. “I want to get hold of the tribes before Bahram Khan comes back.” “That will be to-morrow morning, when the armistice ends,” said Colonel Graham. “No, we have got you again now, North, and you won’t start out on any fools’ errands just yet, let me tell you.” CHAPTER XXII. THE FIRE ON THE HILL. “Ah!” said Colonel Graham sharply. “So that is the little dodge, is it?”