"Then send them all to our camp at night," said I; "they will not be seen, and if necessary they can be sent on a march." "You are a ready-witted people," cried he, "and what has cost me days and nights of anxiety, you have settled satisfactorily in a few moments. Now I clearly see there is no time to be lost; and I go to bring the money, and give directions to my people." So he left us. "Well done," cried Bhudrinath to me, "you fairly took the words out of my mouth, and I think the fish has taken the bait." "I think so, too," said I; "the fellow may be a very sharp revenue collector, but he is no match for you and me; and you see he is a greater man than we thought for, as he speaks of his horses, camels, and servants: no doubt we shall have a good round sum from him." I hurried to my father, leaving Bhudrinath to manage everything his own way, if I should not return in time to meet the man we expected. He was surprised to see me, and exclaimed, "I did not think you would have left your adored so soon--to what am I indebted for this early visit?" "Nay," said I, "father, do not mention her--it sounds like banter; and I have other work in hand just now than attending even to Zora." "Ay, indeed! and now tell me my son, what thou hast in view." "Why," said I, "Bhudrinath and I have secured a man in the town, who promises to be almost as good a prize as either we have had before; and when you see two horses, some camels, and servants, come into your camp this evening, do you allow them to remain, and start them off as early as may be to-morrow morning towards Hyderabad." "I will do as you wish," said my father; "but tell me, Ameer Ali, what is this you are about? Are you sure there is no risk--no danger?" "As far as I can see there is not; but hear what has been done already, and then judge whether the matter ought to be persevered in or not. If you do not like it, we will drop it at once." So I told him all. "You are both of you doing your work well, and I approve of it greatly," said the old man; "I will on my part receive the camels, &c., and will send on a party of gravediggers this very night. We will set off to-morrow night or early the next morning." Bhudrinath was absent when I reached the house in the town, and I had to wait a long time for his return, which was not till near evening; however, I had the society I best loved, and the hours fled quickly. I was, nevertheless, overjoyed to see him return with a cart and two fine bullocks. He had purchased the whole from a set of dancing-girls, and the cart was fitted with curtains, in the manner of those used to carry women. When it was brought up to the house, he dismissed the driver with a small present. "There," said Bhudrinath, "is ninety-five rupees' worth, and the concern is cheap enough; our only care is now for the person who is to ride in it." "Where is he?" said I. "Are you sure of him?"