e, it was naturally
supposed that they had either been put to death by Mukund Bhim, or,
through having joined him, were afraid of returning. Among the missing
ones was Khan Cochut. A search was made for him high and low throughout
the palace, but his dead body was not to be found, nor were there any
traces of him to be discovered. The rooms he usually occupied had been
stripped of everything of value, and Reginald, who had no great
confidence in the ex-barber, could not help suspecting that he had made
his escape from the city with all the wealth he could collect, and would
probably next be heard of at Calcutta.

The rajah had vowed to take vengeance on all who had sided with the
rebels, and his officers were now visiting every part of the city in
search of suspected persons. Many hundreds were captured, and the
streets of the city, according to Indian custom, would soon have been
running with blood, had not Reginald and Burnett entreated the rajah to
show clemency towards his foes. They pointed out to him that it was far
more noble to save life than to take it; that the people were his
subjects, whom he was bound to protect; and that the larger number had
joined Mukund Bhim under the idea that he himself was dead. As he
acknowledged that Reginald had been the means of saving his life, and
that Burnett had also rendered him essential service, he was willing to
listen to their counsel,--though nothing would induce him to spare the
lives of the treacherous chiefs, several of whom were captured, and
compelled to pay the penalty of their crimes with their heads.

Tranquillity was now apparently perfectly restored in the city; but it
was reported that in the country large parties of the rebels were still
in arms, wandering about in various directions, and plundering the
defenceless. A near relative of Mukund Bhim was said to be at their
head, but his whereabouts could not be discovered. Whether or not all
the reports were true, they proved the disorganised state of the
country, and made Reginald and Burnett wish heartily for the arrival of
the expected resident and the British troops.

Still no information had been received regarding the Ranee Nuna, and the
rajah continued plunged in the greatest grief and anxiety about her.
Both Burnett and Reginald shared his feelings, and offered to set off in
search of her. Burnett was most anxious to go. He had been struck by
her beauty and captivated by her manner, so unlik