Delhi they took up their quarters near Colonel Skinner's
house, in the Bulvemar's Ward,[12] where they resided for two months.
The Nawab had told Karim to get a gun made for his purpose at Delhi,
or purchase one, stating that his guns had all been purchased through
Colonel Skinner, and would lead to suspicion if seen in his
possession. On reaching Delhi, Karim purchased an old gun, and
desired Ania to go to a certain man in the Chandni Chauk, and get it
made in the form of a short blunderbuss, with a peculiar stock, that
would admit of its being concealed under a cloak; and to say that he
was going to Gwalior to seek service, if any one questioned him. The
barrel was cut, and the instrument made exactly as Karim wished it to
be by the man whom he pointed out. They met Mr. Fraser every day, but
never at night; and Karim expressed regret that the Nawab should have
so strictly enjoined him not to shoot him in the daytime, which he
thought he might do without much risk. Ania got an attack of fever,
and urged Karim to give up the attempt and return home, or at least
permit him to do so. Karim himself became weary, and said he would do
so very soon if he could not succeed; but that he should certainly
shoot _some European gentleman_ before he set out, and tell his
master that he had taken him for Mr. Fraser--to save appearances.
Ania told him that this was a question between him and his master,
and no concern of his.

At the expiration of two months, a peon came to learn what they were
doing. Karim wrote a letter by him to the Nawab, saying that '_the
dog_ he wished was never to be seen without ten or twelve people
about him; and that he saw no chance whatever of finding him, except
in the midst of them; but that if he wished, he would purchase this
_dog_ in the midst of the crowd'. The Nawab wrote a reply, which was
sent by a trooper, with orders that it should be opened in presence
of no one but Ania. The contents were: 'I command you not to purchase
_the dog_ in presence of many persons, as its price will be greatly
raised. You may purchase him before one person, or even two, but not
before more; I am in no hurry, the longer the time you take the
better; but do not return without purchasing _the dog_.'[13] That is,
without killing Mr. Fraser.

They went on every day to watch Mr. Fraser's movements. Leaving the
horse with the groom, sometimes in one old ruin of the city, and
sometimes in another, ready saddled for flight,