s far as my interests are
concerned, much depends on it," said Reginald, who had been listening
eagerly to the account the rajah had been giving him. "There were
certain papers signed on the occasion, which, with other documents, my
father left behind in the country, and which to me are of the greatest
importance. Has your highness possession of them, or can you inform me
where they are to be found?"

"Papers! Documents! Of what do you speak? I remember that some time
back Khan Cochut, in whom I then placed unlimited confidence, at my
order examined into the state of my treasures, and found some papers
which I was unable to decipher. He informed me that they were of no
value; but I directed him to allow them to remain in the casket in which
they were placed. Some time afterwards, on visiting my treasury with
the intention of placing the documents in the hands of some person
understanding English, to be certain that Khan Cochut had not deceived
me, I found that the casket had disappeared. Cochut protested that he
knew nothing about the casket, and pretended to make diligent search
after it."

"If they were the papers which my father directed me to recover, they
are, as I before told your highness, of the very greatest consequence,
and I entreat you to assist me in recovering them."

While Reginald was engaged in this exciting conversation with his
supposed grandfather, an attendant entered the room, announcing that an
officer who had just arrived, bringing important information, requested
an audience immediately; and Reginald was compelled to wait till he
could again speak in private to the rajah.

CHAPTER SIX.

REGINALDS'S EXPEDITION IN SEARCH OF NUNA--BURNETT SETS OFF FOR THE SAME
PURPOSE--ADVENTURES IN A TEMPLE--DISAPPEARANCE OF FAITHFUL--THE
BRAHMIN'S TREACHERY--BUXSOO GAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION--PLANS FOR
LIBERATING NUNA--FAITHFUL ESCAPES FROM HER PRISON, AND TURNS THE TABLES
ON THE TRAITORS.

The important information which had arrived was to the effect that the
expected English resident, with two regiments of sepoys and a company of
English troops, was on his way to Allahapoor, and would in the course of
a few days reach the city.

The preparations for their reception now gave ample occupation to the
rajah and his nobles.

As soon as Reginald had an opportunity, he told Burnett of the
unexpected information the rajah had communicated regarding his birth.

"I have no reason to doubt it, yet