and insisted with tears on disguising herself as her mistress and staying
behind to provide one slim chance for the rest to escape.

"In the dark you will pass for the memsahib," she urged. "The memsahib
will pass for a man. Wait by the gate until the maharajah enters, while
I stand at the door under the lamp as a decoy. I will run into the house,
and he will follow with the eunuchs, while the rest of you slip out through
the gate, and run before the guard can close it. Perhaps one, at least,
of the other maids had better stay with me."

A second maid volunteered, but Yasmini would have none of that plan.
First and last the great outstanding difference between her and the
ordinary run of conspirators, Western or Eastern, was unwillingness
to sacrifice faithful friends even in a pinch--although she could be
ruthlessness itself toward half-hearted ones. Both those habits grew
on her as she grew older.

By the time they reached the little curtained outer hall the maids were
on the verge of hysteria. Tess had herself well in control, and was praying
busily that her husband might only be near enough to hear the racket
at the gate. She was willing to be satisfied with that, and to ask no further
favors of Providence, unless that Dick should have Tom Tripe with him.
Outwardly calm enough, she could not for the life of her remember to
stride like a man. Yasmini turned more than once to rally her about it.

Yasmini herself looked unaccountably meek in the Western dress, but
her blue eyes blazed with fury and she walked with confidence, issuing
her orders in a level voice. The gateman had come to the door again
to announce that Gungadhura had issued a final warning. Two more
minutes and the outer gate should be burst in by his orders.