hey will enter, and, taking possession of all the
treasures they can find, will deliver them to their proper owners. If
you refrain from interfering with my proceedings, I will allow you to
continue your devotions, and to remain at present as guardians of the
treasures concealed in this place."

The priests, considering that "discretion was the better part of
valour," and seeing the bold bearing of the young stranger, allowed him
and Bikoo to mount the steps; when, traversing the hall, they quickly
made their way into the open air, glad to escape from the mephitic
atmosphere of the vault and the fury of the priests--who, as soon as
they had recovered from their astonishment, broke forth in loud cries
and threats of vengeance. They grew cooler, however, on discovering the
rajah's troops at the entrance of the temple, and hurried back to their
devotions with the advice they had received from the stranger strongly
impressed on their minds. Many a prayer was offered up that Doorga
would protect their ill-gotten wealth from the grasp of the infidels.

Followed closely by his guards, Reginald, who had a horse in waiting,
rode back to the palace, carrying the precious casket, which he was
unwilling to trust to other hands. On his arrival an officer met him at
the gate with a message from the rajah, who was anxiously waiting his
return. Reginald found him, to his surprise, on foot, pacing slowly up
and down a broad verandah overlooking the city, to which he had caused
his divan to be carried, that he might enjoy the fresh air.

"Have you been successful, my son?" exclaimed the old man eagerly, as
Reginald approached. "Tell me quickly; for a dimness has come over my
eyes, and I feel a strange sinking of the heart, which forebodes I know
not what."

Reginald exhibited the wished-for casket.

"It is the same, my son," he exclaimed; "and contains, I trust, the
valuable documents your father committed to my care. Let me see them; I
shall know them at once."

Reginald was about to try and open the casket, when he saw a peculiar
expression pass over the countenance of the rajah, who staggered and
sank back on the divan near which he was standing. The old man gazed at
him with a look of affection, and tried to speak; but in vain. He drew
his breath every instant with more and more labour; and then came one
more sigh, and he seemed to be sleeping calmly. Reginald threw himself
by his side and took his hand. It failed to