ned them
by the light of his lamp.

"I could not place a value on these," he said at last. "The ladies
must, indeed, have felt that they owed their lives to you. The gems
are a fortune. Doubtless they are the spoils of a score of districts,
and Tippoo must have distributed them lavishly among his wives, or
they could never have made such rich presents. I would bury them,
Sahib, for surely they could not be entrusted even to the most
faithful messengers, in times like these. But though, if you like, I
will hide them here, I think it would be far safer for you to take
them across the river, and bury them in a wood, marking well the
trees, that you may know the place again; for although methinks
Tippoo's agents believe that they have squeezed the last rupee from
me, one can never tell--I might again be tortured, and none can say
that they are brave enough to bear the agonies that Tippoo's
executioners inflict.

"I will bury them for tonight; but I pray you give me notice the first
time you cross the river. I will be at the other side of the ford,
with the jewels hidden in a sack on an ass. This I will drive forward,
when I see you crossing the ford. You will follow me, till I enter a
wood. I will have the tools, and when you join me, you can go on a
short distance and bury them. I do not wish to see where you hide
them, but will move about, to make sure that none come near you when
so engaged.

"You had best take out a few small stones, which you will find as good
as money, and much more easily concealed, for in every town or large
village you will find a jeweller, who will give you silver for them."

"I think that will be a very good plan, Pertaub, and will certainly
carry it out."

A month passed, without any change in their work. They rode, with
other officers, behind Tippoo's palanquin when he went out, which he
did almost every day, to inspect the progress of the fortifications;
and were among the brilliant circle behind his throne, when he gave
orders.

By this time, they had come to know most of the other Court officials,
and were able to inquire cautiously about the prisons. They could
learn nothing, however, of any English prisoners in Seringapatam, save
those they had seen in the hut in the fort.

Six weeks after their appointment as Palace officers, Dick and Surajah
were sent for by Tippoo.

"I am about to employ you," the sultan said, when they appeared before
him, "on a mission. You are strangers h