ency."

"You are young to serve as an officer and, for the present, you had
best remain with Sufder's troop. In the meantime, I will see what
suitable post can be found for you."

With an expression of thanks, Sufder and Harry left the audience
hall.

"It is a good beginning, Puntojee," the soldier said, as they left
the minister's palace. "Nana Furnuwees was evidently pleased with
you, and I think he will give you special employment. At the same
time, serving one master here is not without its danger--Nana
especially, powerful as he is, has enemies as powerful; for he has
always stood in the way of the ambition of Scindia."

That evening an officer brought, from Nana, an order conferring
upon Harry the appointment of an assistant officer in Sufder's
troop, with the usual pay and allowances and, three days later, an
order came for him to attend the audience of the minister. On
arrival, he was told by the officer of the chamber that he was not
to present himself at public audience, but that Nana would speak to
him privately. He was therefore taken to an inner chamber where, an
hour later, Nana joined him.

"I think by your face, Puntojee, that you can be trusted; and I
have decided to place you in the service of His Highness, the
Peishwa. What position you will hold there must depend upon
yourself, and him. I shall simply recommend you as one of whom I
have heard much good. It would be as well for you not to mention
your age; but let him suppose that, as you look, you are about the
same age as himself. He is amiable and kindly, and your position
will be a pleasant one.

"I am anxious to prevent evil advisers from obtaining influence
over him. He is young and unsuspicious, and much harm might thus
come to the state. It is, then, for the general interest that he
should be surrounded by those whom I can trust; so that, if any
plotters are endeavouring to poison his mind, their plans may be
thwarted. I have of course, officers about his person who are
thoroughly trustworthy; but these are much older than himself, and
he chafes somewhat at what he wrongly considers his tutelage. But
indeed, as he is but twenty-one, and wholly unversed in matters of
state, it is needful that the management of affairs should rest in
the hands of those who have long controlled it.

"Scindia would be the first to take advantage of any imprudence. He
is already, by far, the most powerful of the Mahratta princes. His
possessions are of i