The sacred elephant, passing through the streets, attended by three men, aroused no suspicions in any straggler who saw.

So remote was the walled city, so seemingly impregnable, and so little interfered with that it was only human that its guardians should eventually grow careless.
When the keepers, straggling under the fumes of the drug, returned near daybreak, first to find the gate open, second to find their sacred charge gone, they fled in terror; for it would be death, lingering and painful, for them to stay and explain how and why they had left their post.
The wild and lawless brigands knew exactly what they were about.

There were several agents of European and American circuses after this white elephant, and as it could not be purchased there was no reason why it could not be stolen.
When the Brahmin arrived at sunrise to find his vocation gone he set up a wailing which awakened the household.

The Khan was furious and ordered a general search.

He vowed death to the foul hands which had done this sacrilege! Kathlyn and the others were genuinely sorry when they heard the news.
They were in the armory when the Khan announced what had taken place.
Said he: "Come, you are all skilled hunters.