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And through all this tur the true sentis or white queens; they desired to be ruled by their kind, who

would not start innovations but would let affairs drift on as they had

done for centuries

Nor was Bruce inactive Many a tith of death; but always Bruce had resisted the impulse It would

be rank folly to upset Ramabai's plans, which were to culminate in

Umballa's overthrow

But upon a certain hour Ra

his absence with Pundita at some palace affair his home had been

entered, ransacked, and ten thousand rupees had been stolen His real

fortune, however, was hidden securely The real trouble was that these

ten thousand rupees would practically undo much of what had been

accoated this theft,

and that the money would be doled out to the soldiers For upon their

dissatisfaction rested his future

"Take Bala Khan at his word," suggested Bruce, "and ask him for his

five thousand hillmen"

Ra of

Allaha! No, Sahib; he is a good friend, but he is also a dangerous

one We must have patience"

"Patience!" exploded Bruce