pon you for
vengeance."

"If it can be shown that Sher Singh has committed this murder, justice
shall indeed be done upon him, Maharaj," said Gerrard. "But I think
you will find that he has not left this place."

"Then to whom did my son call out 'Brother'?" she demanded fiercely.
"You will not find him."

"The Prince!" burst from the surrounding soldiers, and all turned
towards the gateway of the fort, where a little group of men could be
seen. A palanquin was brought out, and the bearers carried it swiftly
down the winding path. Almost unconsciously the crowd below pressed
forward to the foot of the cliff. The palanquin reached the bottom and
stopped, and the fakir, who had followed it, opened the curtains and
helped out a bent figure--unmistakably Sher Singh. A shriek broke from
the Rani.

"He has outridden me and reached this place first!" she cried. "See
his weakness, his deathly aspect. What but four days and nights of
riding could account for it?"

Disregarding her words, Sher Singh turned with dignity to Gerrard.
"What does my friend Jirad Sahib require of me?" he asked mildly. "At
his command I have risen from my bed, weak and faint with illness
though I am. My servants tell me that my brother is dead. Is my blood
desired also?"

"Your brother died calling upon you to spare him," said Gerrard.

"And is the life of a man to hang upon the cry of a terrified child?"
asked Sher Singh, with the same dignified meekness. "Nay, if he cried
out 'Brother!' would he not say the same to any man of Granthi stock?
Jirad Sahib knows our customs, and that it is our wont to speak thus to
one another."

"The matter must be properly tried," said Gerrard. "Your Highness
sees"--he turned to the Rani--"that there is no proof against the
brother of your son. Let me entreat you to retire to the tent prepared
for you, and rest."

The Rani waved him back with a contemptuous gesture. "I have asked for
no trial," she cried; "I demand justice. Here to his face I accuse
Sher Singh of having ridden secretly to Agpur and murdered my son, his
brother, and then returned hither in haste that he might give the lie
to my words. Who is on my side? Who will slay this wretch for me?
Jirad Sahib?"

"Maharaj, I can do nothing until the whole matter has been inquired
into and fairly decided."

"Oh, words, words! such as the English ever speak, and do nothing until
it is too late! You then, soldiers of Partab Singh Rajah