"Seems to me there's a move on," Quest muttered, as they rose to their
feet. "I wonder if we are in it."

A moment or two later Craig approached them. He came with his shoulders
stooped and his eyes fixed upon the ground. He scarcely raised them as he
spoke.

"Word has been brought to the Chief," he announced, "that the Arab who
escaped from the caravan has fallen in with an outpost of British
soldiers. They have already started in pursuit of us. The Mongars will
take refuge in the jungle, where they have prepared hiding-places. We
start at once."

"What about us?" the Professor enquired.

"I endeavoured," Craig continued, "to persuade the Chief to allow you to
remain here, when the care of you would devolve upon the English soldiers.
He and Feerda, however, have absolutely refused my request. Feerda has
overheard some of your conversation, and the Chief believes that you will
betray us. You will have to come along, too."

"You mean," Laura exclaimed, "that we've got to tramp into what you call
the jungle, and hide there because these thieves are being chased?"

Craig glanced uneasily around.

"Young lady," he said, "you will do well to speak little here. They have
long ears and quick understandings, these men. You may call them a race of
robbers. They only remember that they are the descendants of an Imperial