time on the lookout as,
were he to keep on watching the courtyard, it might attract notice,
and the idea might occur to someone that he was expecting some
signal to be made to him.

Three days passed without a sign; and then, when the guard came in
with his ration, Harry saw that Abdool was one of the number. As he
glanced at him, Abdool, who was standing a little way behind the
others, shook his head, and retired with them. Harry felt a
momentary disappointment; but saw at once that nothing could be
attempted in broad daylight; and that it was at night, only, that
there was a possibility of success. He thought that Abdool had only
come up in order to see the nature of the fastenings of the doors,
and the general position.

He was not with the party who came up in the evening but, in the
centre of his rice, Harry found a small piece of paper rolled into
a ball. There was not, however, light enough to enable him to read
it; but he lay awake half the night and, at the first gleam of
daylight, went up on to the platform and, seating himself so that
he was not visible from below, waited till he could see to read the
letter. It was, of course, in Mahratti; and so badly written that
he had difficulty in deciphering it. He finally, however, made it
out.

"Tomorrow evening, when I come up, we will attack the others, if
all goes well; if not, will try the next evening."

So intent was he, in deciphering the writing, that he had hardly
noticed the outburst of heavy firing in the distance. He had feared
the enemy had captured Delhi on the previous day, as he had heard
no firing; but now the roar of cannon was very heavy, and he had no
doubt that Holkar was trying to take the town by assault.

In less than half an hour the sound ceased, suddenly.

"They have either taken the town, or been beaten off decisively,"
he said to himself.

In the afternoon he saw a party of horsemen approaching, followed
by some palanquins.

"That looks hopeful," he said to himself. "A messenger has probably
brought the rajah news that the assault has failed, and he is
bringing his zenana here for safety, until he hears the issue of
the battle, which will probably take place in a day or two. I
wonder whether this will upset Abdool's plans!"

The rajah's return was greeted by the discharge of matchlocks.
Presently, however, this was succeeded by cries of rage and a
clamour of voices.

"Holkar has been thrashed. Now it is a toss up whether th