Lie up somewhere--Joanna will know of a place--until the old woman has taken in a message to Jaimihr, and wait until he sends you some men to escort you through the outskirts of the city.

I've got disguises ready for you--a pugree for you, Mr.McClean, and a purdah for your daughter--you'll travel as a Hindoo merchant and his wife.

If you get stopped, say very little, but show this." He produced the letter written once by Maharajah Howrah to the Alwa-sahib and sent by galloper with the present of a horse.

It was signed, and at the bottom of it was the huge red royal seal.

"Now go and put the disguise on, while I see to the horses; I'm going to pick out quiet ones, if possible, though I warn you they're rare in these parts." Some twenty minutes later he led their horses for them gingerly down the slippery rock gorge, and waited at the bottom while six men wound the gate up slowly.