private letters you have, contrary to all the laws of honour, ventured
to peruse?" exclaimed Reginald. "I am not going to imbrue my hands in
your blood; but this tigress would, at a word from me, tear you limb
from limb. You have broken through all the laws of hospitality, and in
consequence of my carelessness obtained a secret with which I wished no
one to be acquainted till the proper time arrived for making it known."

"I--I--I--I humbly beg your pardon," exclaimed the captain, his voice
trembling with terror. "I had no idea that you and the young rajah of
Allahapoor were one and the same person. When I spoke as I did, I
merely repeated the reports I had heard. I entreat you to forgive me,
and I faithfully promise to keep your secret."

"I have no choice but to trust you," answered Reginald sternly. "You
see that your father, who would have deprived me of my property and
title, has no prospect of success if I live and can produce these
documents. What you would have done with them had I not opportunely
arrived, I cannot pretend to say. But I am not anxious for further
conversation. Retire, sir, to your room. It is my desire that you
appear at the public banquet as if nothing had happened, and after that
return as soon as you can to the cantonments with the despatches which I
will deliver to you for Colonel Ross. The private letter you have had
the audacity to read, I will send by another messenger. And now, sir, I
say again, go, and meditate on what has happened. That I have spared
your life, may induce you to act with some degree of gratitude."

Hawkesford, obeying the order he had received, rose from his seat. A
loud growl uttered by the tigress made him spring rapidly towards the
door. She would probably have followed and caught him, had she not been
restrained by the voice of her master.

Reginald having closed the door behind the retreating officer, sat down,
and thought over the position of affairs and the numerous important
matters which pressed on his mind. That he was surrounded by dangers of
all sorts, he felt convinced. He knew full well that he had traitors
within the walls of his palace; and that his subjects, who had lately
received him with shouts of exuberant joy, might at any moment turn
again and shout loudly for his destruction; while his troops could not
be depended on. He had his stanch friend Burnett by his side, and he
could rely on Dhunna Singh and his sons; while Faithful,