, and that I must forthwith be admitted to an audience."

Burnett, believing that the fakir had really some matter of consequence
to communicate, hastened to the rajah, who desired that he should at
once be admitted. In spite of his mean attire, the rajah received the
fakir with the same respect he would have bestowed on the proudest
noble.

"Whence do you come, and what tidings do you bring?" he asked.

"O Refuge of the World, I come from the well-beloved, the Princess of
the Universe, your grandchild the Ranee. She sent for me, knowing that
I could be trusted, and bade me hasten to your highness with some
information she had obtained, I know not how. My only desire was to
obey her orders. During your absence treachery has been at work in the
city; and even now, unless some fortunate chance has prevented them,
your enemies are in possession of your palace and riches. Khan Mukund
arrived some days ago with a party of horsemen, who spread the report
that your highness was dead, and that he intended to get himself
proclaimed rajah in your stead."

The rajah started up and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, as if
he would rush off at once to recover his possessions; then recollecting
that he was at a distance from Allahapoor, he made further inquiries of
the fakir, whose answers confirmed him in the belief that the man spoke
the truth.

"I now see why those traitors galloped off in order to reach the city
before us. What do you advise, my friends?" he asked, turning to
Burnett and Reginald.

"That we act with judgment and caution, and we may yet win back your
city and restore you to power," answered Burnett. "You have still a
faithful band remaining with you; and the traitors cannot possibly be
aware that you have requested the presence of an English resident, and a
regiment of sepoys. Their arrival will of necessity disconcert the
plans of the rebels. When it is known, the usurper will probably take
to flight, and you will quickly have your own again."

"But, in the meantime, what will the wretches have done with my family,
and my grand-daughter Nuna, and the rest of those I hold dear?"

This remark made Burnett feel very anxious, for he could not give a
satisfactory reply. "They will scarcely venture to ill-treat the
defenceless, well knowing that vengeance will speedily overtake them,"
he answered at length. "Besides, remember, O Rajah, that this holy man
has only told us what he fears may pos