Lateefa could see the green gleam more clearly than ever now, for the ring lay in the dust within reach of his hand. It had jumped from the bed, like a clay pigeon from a trap, under that petulant blow. But the players had not noticed it, they were going on with their game unconcernedly. Only Lateefa's eyes were on that gold and green, half hidden in the dust! '_If thou hast the chance_.' He heard the words as plainly as if Khôjee had been beside him. But this was no chance. The loss would be discovered in a minute or two. And then it would be a mere question of search; for there could be no suspicion of any one else, since the bed on which those two were playing was set right across the only entrance to that well of wall in which there was no place of concealment--none! No! it was not a chance! Yet he heard his reply now-- '_On my kites I promise; since they be my creatures, to fly or fail as I make them_.' On his kites!... A sort of dazzle came to the sunshine, a dazzle to his brain. He gave a sudden reckless laugh, his hand went out to the ring swiftly, and busied itself still more swiftly as he sang, in the varying measure to which such versicles lend themselves, a new version of the old words-- 'Lateefa made of naught, Lateef who's bound and caught; Lo! he forbids thee naught, Sail east, west, south, or north! Choose thine own port!' The kite which--as he sang--twisted and twirled upwards from his dexterous throw, seemed at first as if it was uncertain what to choose. 'I mark the king!' said Burkut with an oily smile, and once more Jehân with an oath flung down the cards. But by this time both kites were tilting steadily to leeward, and only Lateefa's skilful finger could, in striking the strings that held them captive, have told that one had a trifle more ballast to carry than the other. CHAPTER XV THE RÂM RUCKI Jack Raymond's admission, '_C'est la peste, mademoiselle_,' had been made under compulsion. Lesley, he had recognised, was not one to be put off by evasion; and yet his first impulse had been to keep his discovery to himself. For the sense of authority to deal with men and things, which he had had in the past, was apt to return to him when he found himself in a tight place. Therefore, the necessity for avoiding a scare had seemed to him paramount, and he had followed up his low-toned admission by a rapid request that Lesley should take Jerry home to bed, and say nothing to anybody of the adventure. But by the time the green sleeves had disappeared, obediently, over the dim lawns that were just becoming visible in the dawn, his sense of responsibility had passed.