hat you are
Mr Reginald Hamerton! And your highness will pardon me if I make a
mistake."

Reginald at once acknowledged who he was, and the major, greatly
relieved, rode on with him and Burnett to the fort. Scouts were at once
sent out to ascertain, if possible, the position and strength of the
enemy. Major Molony said that he had received orders to assist in
escorting the ranee to Allahapoor; and it was agreed that, as soon as
they received intelligence that a force was marching out of that city to
assist them, they should proceed,--the major feeling confident that his
sepoys would be able to keep in check any number of the rebel forces.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

A GUNPOWDER PLOT--COCHUT CAUGHT--BALKISHEN HOISTED WITH HIS OWN PETARD--
THE MAJOR'S NARROW ESCAPE--COCHUT GIVES IMPORTANT INFORMATION--DICK
DESPATCHED WITH IT TO CALCUTTA--REGINALD ENTERS THE CITY--THE RAJAH'S
ILLNESS--TIDINGS OF THE CASKET--VISIT TO THE TEMPLE--THE CASKET
RECOVERED--DEATH OF THE RAJAH.

The traitor Balkishen had not been idle. He had managed to collect the
rebel forces, and had been with them in the very fort that Reginald and
his party now occupied. When they evacuated it, he with his slave Bikoo
had remained behind, intending to proceed from thence secretly to
Allahapoor, according to the information he might receive from his ally,
Khan Cochut. Below the fort were some vaults in which, some time
before, the rebels had stowed a large supply of powder and other
munitions of war, concealed in huge oil-casks. Just as he was about to
set out, he was joined by Cochut, who brought intelligence which seemed
to afford the two conspirators immense satisfaction.

"The fatal draught has been taken,--there can be no doubt of it. The
whole city will soon be in a tumult!" whispered the khan, as if afraid
the very walls would hear him. "Our friends will take possession of the
city, and the young rajah will be disappointed of his hopes. When you
arrive, they will receive you with shouts of joy, as they know you will
restore the good old ways, and have nothing to do with the infidel
Feringhees. For myself, I detest the English, and should delight in
seeing them driven out of the whole of India."

Balkishen assured Khan Cochut that his services should be amply
rewarded; and they agreed to remain a day or two longer in the fort, and
then to proceed leisurely to Allahapoor, calculating that they should
receive the expected intelligence of the raja