Bajee Rao was seated, with several
of his officers standing behind him. He received Mr. Uhtoff with a
show of great courtesy.

The latter, however, stood stiffly, and said:

"I have come, Your Highness, to request an explanation of what is
going on. The city of Poona is being treated like a town taken by
siege. The houses of a number of persons of distinction are being
attacked by Scindia's soldiery. Fighting is going on in the
streets, and the whole of the inhabitants are in a state of wild
alarm.

"But this is not all. Nana Furnuwees has, owing to his reliance
upon a solemn guarantee given for his safe return, been seized when
making a ceremonial visit to Scindia."

"You must surely be misinformed," the Peishwa said. "You will
readily believe that I am in perfect ignorance of such a
proceeding."

"I might believe it, Prince," Mr. Uhtoff said, coldly, "had I not
been aware that you and your officers have decoyed a number of
Nana's friends to this palace and, on their arrival, had them
suddenly arrested."

Bajee Rao, practised dissimulator as he was, flushed at this
unexpected accusation.

"I learned, sir," he said, after a pause, "that there was a plot
against my person, by Nana Furnuwees and his adherents; and I have
therefore taken what I considered the necessary step of placing
these in temporary confinement."

"It is a little strange, Your Highness, that the man who placed you
on the musnud should be conspiring to turn you from it. However,
what has been done has been done; and I cannot hope that any words
of mine will avail to persuade you to undo an act which will be
considered, throughout India, as one of the grossest treachery and
ingratitude. My duty is a simple one: namely, merely to report to
my Government the circumstances of the case."

The officers behind the Peishwa fingered the hilts of their swords,
and the four troopers involuntarily made a step forward, to support
the Resident. Bajee, however, made a sign to those behind him to
remain quiet; and the Resident, turning abruptly, and without
salutation to the Peishwa, left the hall, followed by his men.

They mounted as soon as they had left the palace, and rode back to
the Residency; Mr. Uhtoff keeping his place at their head, and
speaking no word until he dismounted, when he asked Harry to
accompany him to his room.

"This is a bad business, indeed, Mr. Lindsay. I cannot say that I
am surprised because, having studied Bajee Rao's cha