"As sure," said Bhudrinath, "as I ever was of any one; he is now gone to take leave of the Hakim of the place, and will pretend he has done all his business. He has sent his camels and people to the camp, with strict orders to obey whoever there may be there in authority, and I myself directed them to go to your father and receive instructions from him. The man himself will be here at nightfall." "Inshalla!" cried I, "truly may we say we are fortunate; nothing has gone wrong." Just as we had completed all our preparations, our friend came, and by this time it had become quite dark, so that he joined us unobserved; and as we had sent word to him that the cart had been purchased, he brought with him what we supposed to be his valuables; one of his servants carried the bundle, which appeared carefully tied up in waxed cloths, and his hookah and his bedding. "Are you sure you have omitted nothing?" he asked. "Certain," said I; "everything is ready. I have been to the gate, and have told the guard that we have a long march before us, and will pass out a little after midnight, with two carts and our people." "Well," said he, "then here is your money;" and he counted out seventy-five rupees to me. "Now we have nothing to desire," said I, "but to be informed of your name, which hitherto you have not told us." "Call me Kumal Khan for the present," he replied; "you shall know my real name at Hyderabad." "As you will," said I; "doubtless you have good reasons for not discovering yourself to us. Meanwhile, as you say, Kumal Khan will do as well as any other name; therefore, Khan Sahib, I think the sooner we take some rest, the more we shall be refreshed for our journey to-morrow." "I can lie down anywhere," said he; "I dare say I shall sleep, moreover, which my care and anxiety have prevented my doing for some nights past." He spread his carpet and covered himself up. Bhudrinath followed his example, and in a short time they were both asleep, as their deep breathing testified. Strange destiny, I thought; there lies the man who has but a few hours to live, side by side in peaceful slumber with one who will be actively employed in his destruction. A few hours and their situations will be changed--oh, how changed! one to lie senseless in the earth, the other to live and breathe, and to tax his wits to gain fresh victims. "Ya, Alla!" I exclaimed involuntarily, "thy purposes are inscrutable!"