"Did you ever hear of a law to equal that?" asked Bruce of the colonel.
"No, my boy, I never did. It would mean a good deal of red tape for a
man who changed his mind frequently. He could not fool his relations;
they would know. The laws of the dark peoples have always amazed me,
because if you dig deep enough into them you are likely to find common
sense at the bottom. We must search Umballa's house thoroughly. I
wish to see Ramabai and Pundita in the shadow of their rights. Can't
destroy a document offhand and make a new one without legally
destroying the first. Well, let us be getting back to the bungalow.
We'll talk it over there."
At the bungalow everything was systematically being prepared for the
homeward journey. The laughter and chatter of the two girls was music
to their father's ears. And sometimes he intercepted secret glances
between Bruce and Kathlyn. Youth, youth; youth and love! Well, so it
was. He himself had been a youth, had loved and been beloved. But he
grew very lonely at the thought of Kathlyn eventually going into
another home; and some young chap would soon come and claim Winnie, and
he would have no one but Ahmed. If only he had had a boy, to bring his
bride to his father's roof!
Pictures were taken down from the walls, the various wild animal heads,
and were packed away in strong boxes. And Ahmed went thither and yon,
a hundred cares upon his shoulders. He was busy because then he had no
time to mourn Lal Singh.
Bruce's camp was, of course, in utter ruin. Not even the cooking
utensils remained: and of his men there was left but Ali, whose leg
still caused him to limp a little. So Bruce was commanded by no less
person than Kathlyn to be her father's guest till they departed for
America. Daily Winnie rode Rajah. He was such a funny old pachyderm,
a kind of clown among his brethren, but as gentle as a kitten. Running
away had not paid. He was like the country boy who had gone to the big
city; he never more could be satisfied with the farm.
The baboon hung about the colonel's heels as a dog might have done;
while Kathlyn had found a tiger cub for a plaything. So for a while
peace reigned at the camp.
They found the much sought document in the secret chamber in Umballa's
house (just as he intended they should); and the king had it legally
destroyed and wrote a new will, wherein Pundita should have back that
which the king's ancestors had taken from her--a throne.
After that there was nothing for Colonel Hare to do but proceed to ship
his animals to the railroad, thence to the ports where he could dispose
of them. Never should he enter this part of India again. Life was too
short.