d.

Rujub remained silent for a minute.

"I think so, sahib; the Nana is an ambitious man; he has wealth and
everything most men would desire to make life happy, but he wanted more:
he thought that when the British Raj was destroyed he would rule over
the territories of the Peishwa, and be one of the greatest lords of the
land. He has staked everything on that; if he loses, he has lost all. He
knows that after the breach of his oath and the massacre here, there is
no pardon for him. He is a tiger--and a wounded tiger is most dangerous.
If he is, as you believe he will be, defeated, I believe his one thought
will be of revenge. Every day brings news of fresh risings. Scindia's
army will join us; Holkar's will probably follow. All Oude is rising in
arms. A large army is gathering at Delhi. Even if the Nana is defeated
here all will not be lost. He has twenty thousand men; there are well
nigh two hundred thousand in arms round Lucknow alone. My belief is
that if beaten his first thought will be to take revenge at once on the
Feringhees, and to make his name terrible, and that he will then go off
with his army to Lucknow or Delhi, where he would be received as one who
has dared more than all others to defy the whites, who has no hope of
pardon, and can, therefore, be relied upon above all others to fight to
the last."

"It may be so, Rujub, though I can scarce believe that there exists a
monster who would give orders for the murder of hundreds of women and
children in cold blood; but, at any rate, I will remain and watch.
We will decide upon what will be the best plan to rescue her from the
prison, if we hear that evil is intended; but, if not, I can remain
patiently until our troops arrive. I know the Subada Ke Kothee; it is,
if I remember right, a large quadrangle with no windows on the outside."

"That is so, sahib; it is a strong place, and difficult indeed to get
into or out of. There is only the main gate, which is guarded at night
by two sentries outside and there is doubtless a strong guard within."

"I would learn whether the same regiment always furnishes the guard; if
so, it might be possible to bribe them."

"I am afraid it would be too dangerous to try. There are scores of men
in Cawnpore who would cut a throat for a rupee, but when it comes to
breaking open a prison to carry off one of these white women whom they
hate it would be too dangerous to try."

"Could you not do something with your art, Rujub?"