mbent on him to hold a banquet in the
palace, there to state to his friends, native and white, just what he
intended to do. And on the night of this sober occasion he sat in the
throne room before a desk littered with documents. As he finished
writing a note he summoned the majordomo.

"Have this delivered at once to Hare Sahib, whom you will find at his
bungalow outside the city. Tell him also that he must be present
to-night, he, his friend and his daughters. It is of vital importance."

Pundita, who was staring out of the window, turned and asked her lord
what he was sending the Colonel Sahib that he could not give him at the
banquet.

"A surprise, an agreeable surprise."

The majordomo cocked his ears; but Ramabai said nothing more.

At the colonel's bungalow there was rejoicing. Ramabai had written
that, since the king could not be found he would head the provisional
government as regent, search for and arrest Umballa, and at any time
the Colonel Sahib signified would furnish him with a trusty escort to
the railway, three days' journey away. He added, however, that he
hoped the Colonel Sahib would be good enough to remain till order was
established.

The majordomo contrived to tarry long enough to overhear as much of the
conversation as needed for he understood English--and then returned to
the city to carry the news to Umballa. To him Umballa gave a white
powder.

"To-night, you say, Ramabai gives a banquet?"

"Yes, Huzoor."

"Well, put this in his cup and your obligation to me is paid."

The majordomo stared a long time at that little packet of powder. A
cold sweat formed upon his brow under his turban.

"Well?" said Umballa ironically.

"Huzoor, it is murder!"

Umballa shrugged and held out his hand for the packet.

The majordomo swallowed a few times, and bowed his head. "It shall be
done, Huzoor. My life is yours to do with as you please. I have said
it."

"Begone, then, and bring me the news on the morrow that Ramabai is
dead. You alone know where the king is. Should they near the hut in
which I have hidden him, see that he is killed. He is also useless."

The majordomo departed with heavy heart. Ramabai was an honest man;
but Durga Ram had spoken.

At the banquet, with its quail and pheasant, its fruits and flowers,
its rare plates and its rarer goblets for the light wines high castes
permitted themselves occasionally to drink, Ramabai toyed idly with his
goblet and thou