Presently he would bend.

Umballa smiled.
"Colonel Sahib, I am not yet at the end of my resources," and with this he went out, closing the door.
That smile troubled the colonel.

What deviltry was the scoundrel up to now?
What could he possibly do?
Later, as he paced wearily to and fro, he saw something white slip under the door.

He stooped and picked up a note, folded European fashion.

His heart thrilled as he read the stilted script: "Ahmed and I shall watch over you.