hind the royal encampment.

Scindia was sitting on a divan. Two lamps hung from the ceiling. He
himself was smoking.

"You have something of importance to say to me?" he said, as Harry
entered, and bowed deeply.

"I have, Your Highness. You are doubtless well aware that the
Kshittree Brahmins, who formerly held the principal offices under
your father, are greatly offended by the elevation of Ghatgay; and
still more so by his atrocious deeds in the town of Poona. There
has been a private meeting, and twelve of them, myself among the
number, have sworn by the feet of Brahma to take your life, either
by poison, dagger, or musket ball."

"And you have the insolence to avow that you took such an oath!"

He sprang to his feet, and would have touched the bell on the table
but, in an instant, Harry sprung forward with a loaded pistol,
pointed at Scindia's head.

"Stop, sir, I beg of you; for assuredly, if you raise a voice or
touch a bell, that moment will be your last."

Scindia sank down into his seat again. He had not the least doubt
that the man before him would execute his threat.

"Your Highness," he said, "I have not come here for the purpose of
assassinating you. I was first on the list, but obtained from the
others permission to endeavour to put an end to the present state
of things, before carrying out our vow. We know that, in spite of
the enormous sums that Ghatgay has raised in Poona, you yourself
have not been enriched; and that you have been unable to persuade
your troops to march, owing to your want of money to pay up their
arrears. We have thought the matter over, and can see but one way
by which you can obtain the necessary funds."

"And that is?" Scindia asked.

"That is, Your Highness, to liberate Nana Furnuwees--setting his
liberty, of course, at a high price. In this way you will not only
be able to move your army, but you will cripple the power of the
Peishwa--who would, if possible, overthrow you, now you have done
his work and freed him from Nana.

"You are well aware, Prince, that Nana Furnuwees always exercised
his authority on the side of peace, and there is no fear that he
will permit Bajee Rao to engage in war against you. He is an old
man, and useless to you as a prisoner. If you exacted a heavy sum
from him it would, in all ways, aid your views."

"But how do you know that Nana could raise such a sum as would
satisfy the troops?"

"We have assured ourselves on that score, and I