me for action has arrived," he said in a firm voice. "We will go
forth, my young friend, and succeed, or perish in the attempt. Our
first care, as soon as we have gathered my faithful guards about us,
must be to secure the safety of my grandchild, Nuna; and we may then,
should we be attacked, defend the palace till the arrival of your
English friend with my brave horsemen. Come, we will set out. I do not
fear discovery, as no one will suppose that I am in the city; and people
will take me for a foreign merchant on his way to transact business with
some khan or other wealthy person."

"Should any one venture to interfere with you, I shall be ready to
sacrifice my life in your defence," answered Reginald.

"I fully confide in you, my brave young friend," exclaimed the rajah;
"and I would rather have you by my side than a hundred of my native
sowars."

They then set out, Reginald having ascertained that no one was near. As
they left the gates of the house the rajah walked rapidly along,
concealing his face in his robe, while Reginald swaggered on by his side
with a martial strut assumed generally by the sowars. A large number of
people were still abroad; and as they passed on they caught some of the
expressions which were being uttered. It was very evident that a
rebellion had taken place, and that the star of Mukund Bhim was in the
ascendency.

At length, as they approached the palace, the crowd grew thinner. When
they got close to it no one was seen standing about the gates,--the
usual guards wore not there,--nor were they challenged as they entered.
The silence which reigned everywhere was ominous. After passing across
the outer courtyard, the rajah was about to enter the vestibule of the
hall of audience, when, drawing aside a curtain which hung across it, he
started back with an exclamation of horror and dismay. The whole
passage, as well as the flight of steps leading to the upper storey, was
strewn with corpses.

"Alas, alas! My faithful guards! On your courage I depended to regain
my power!" exclaimed the rajah. "You have died bravely fighting at your
posts." Ali Singh stood for some seconds contemplating the scene with a
look of despair. "On whom have I now to depend!" he exclaimed; "and my
child, what can have become of her!"

"Your highness has your faithful troopers and many friends who are ready
to fight for you," said Reginald, advancing. "Some of your guard may be
still alive, and conc