vate interview with you. I tore
down one of Scindia's proclamations, and transferred his seal from
it to the order that I had written; dressed myself, as you see, as
one of his officers; got together ten mounted men, to ride as my
escort, and here I am."

"You will be a great man, some day," Nana said, looking at the
tall, powerful figure of his visitor, with its soldierly carriage.

"Now, tell me about affairs. I shall then understand better why you
have run this risk."

Harry gave him a sketch of everything that had happened, since his
confinement.

"You see, sir," he said, as he concluded, "how the situation has
changed. Amrud is nominally acting with his brother's approval, but
there is no question that Bajee fears him. Amrud is in alliance
with Holkar. Purseram Bhow is at liberty, at the head of an army,
and a nominal conciliation has taken place between him and Bajee.
The latter has incurred the detestation and hatred of the people of
Poona and, most important of all, Scindia is really anxious to get
back home, but is unable to do so owing to his inability to pay his
troops and, willing as Bajee might be to furnish the money to get
rid of him, he is without resources, owing to the fact that the
taxation wrung from the people has all gone into the pockets of
Scindia, Ghatgay, and his other favourites.

"The question is, sir, whether you would be willing to purchase
your liberty, at a heavy price. I think that, if you could pay
sufficient to enable Scindia to satisfy his soldiers, he might be
induced to release you."

"How much do you think he would want?"

"Of that I can have no idea, sir. Of course, he would at first ask
a great deal more than he would afterwards accept."

"Yes, I should be ready to pay," Nana said, after considering for a
minute. "As a prisoner here, my money is of no use to me, nor ever
would be; but I could pay a large sum, and still be wealthy."

"That is what I wanted to know, sir."

"But why do you run this risk?" Nana asked.

"For several reasons, sir. In the first place, because you have
honoured me with your friendship; in the second, because I would
fain save the people of Poona from the horrible barbarity with
which they are now treated; and lastly, because the Government of
Bombay would, I am sure, be glad to hear of your reinstatement, as
the only means of restoring peace and tranquillity to the Deccan."

"How will you open this matter to Scindia?"

"I have not fully