Nâlijangha, the old servant whom I had rescued in the forest, met me on my arrival, and was waiting at the place which I had appointed. I went to him there and asked him for information as to the movements and occupations of the new king. "That doomed man," he answered, "thinking all obstacles removed, and rejoicing at his accession to power, is now amusing himself in the palace gardens, with a number of actors, tumblers, and dancing girls." "I could not have a better opportunity," I replied; "do you therefore stay here with the boy, and wait for me in this old ruin. I shall not be long gone." I then dressed myself in the clothes of a tumbler, which I had brought with me for the purpose, went boldly into the garden, presented myself to the king, and asked for permission to exhibit my skill before him. This was readily granted; an opportunity was soon given me of showing what I could do, and I obtained much applause from the spectators. After a time I begged some of those present to lend me their knives, and I caused much astonishment by the way in which I appeared to balance myself on the points. Then, still, holding one of the knives, I imitated the pouncing of a hawk and an eagle, and having by degrees got near the king, I threw the knife with such good aim, that it pierced him to the heart, and I shouted out at the same time, "Long live Vasantabhânu!" that it might be supposed I had been sent by him. After this, dashing by the guards, who tried to stop me, I suddenly leaped over the wall, and before any of my pursuers could cross it, I had run a long way on the other side. Doubling back, I got behind a great heap of bricks, and from thence, concealed by the trees, succeeded in reaching the ruins unobserved. Here I changed my clothes and went back to the city, as if nothing had happened. In order to have everything ready for my intended concealment, I had gone secretly the day before to the Temple of Durgâ, and had there made an underground chamber, communicating with the interior through an opening in the wall, which was carefully closed with a large stone, and now, taking the boy with me, I entered the hiding place, having been furnished with suitable dresses and ornaments, sent by the queen, through Nâlijangha. The assassination of Prachandavarma was universally attributed to his enemy, the King of Asmaka, and the first part of the prophecy of Durgâ, as told by the queen, being thus accomplished, there was no doubt, on the part of those who were in the secret, as to the fulfilment of the remainder. In the morning a great crowd was assembled round the temple; for although the secret of the queen's vision had been kept, it was generally understood that something wonderful was to take place there.