, and resting one hand upon
the head of his son Meeram, he solemnly swore to perform all that he
had undertaken. He also signed the treaty, writing these words upon it
in Persian--"In the name of Allah, and of the Prophet of Allah, I
swear to abide by the terms of this treaty while I have life."

As soon as this business was completed, the Meer said to me--

"And now, before you go, tell me what reward I may give you for your
services in this affair?"

I hesitated. He evidently expected that I should name some large sum
in rupees, such as was promised by the terms of the treaty to Mr.
Watts and others of those privy to it.

"What I ask for is neither money nor jewels," I said, "but the lives
of the two persons who, I believe, are now kept somewhere concealed in
the palace of the Nabob."

Meer Jaffier understood me.

"You mean the Englishwoman who was brought here from Calcutta, and the
Englishman who was formerly a spy in Surajah Dowlah's service?"

I nodded my head.

"It may be that the woman is, as you say, still in the Nabob's harem.
But I cannot think that the man is alive. He has most probably been
secretly put to death for his offence in breaking into the garden of
the seraglio."

"I took part in that offence, and yet I am alive still," I answered.

"Well, what is it you ask of me?"

"I ask your promise that the moment Surajah Dowlah is overthrown, and
the power has passed into your hands, you will aid me to ransack the
palace of Moorshedabad in search of that woman and that man."

Meer Jaffier bowed his head.

"You shall do so. Nay, more, to convince you that I am in earnest I
will write you an authority now, before you leave me, which will
become of effect as soon as Colonel Clive has driven my nephew from
the musnud."

A few minutes afterwards I had re-entered the palanquin, and was being
conveyed back to Mr. Watts's house.

The next day, rising early, I pretended some business with Mr. Watts,
and followed after him on horseback to Cossimbuzar. Here I was met by
some of his native servants, who told me that he had gone hunting the
evening before, and had not returned. Desiring them to show me the way
he had gone, I went on till I was out of sight, and then, striking
into a gallop, rode southward for my life towards the English lines.

The sun was low down in the western sky, as, riding slowly on my
exhausted beast, I drew near the village of Cutwah, and espied the
uniforms of the English se