"Holy Kali," cried Bipin, impulsively raising his hand to his terror-stricken face. "At such a price I have no desire to be a raja. Nay, if such a danger encompasses me, the Rani may find another secretary." "Patience, patience, good sir," continued the astrologer. "I did not say that there was no way of warding off these evils. By following such advice as I can give thee, thou mayest escape them all and yet live to be an unmaimed raja." "Tell me how, I pray thee, O learned Astrologer," besought Bipin, with little trace of his importance remaining. The astrologer appeared to reflect deeply before he replied: "First, thou wouldst do well," he enjoined, "to remain in thy present service, because even if thou wert to fly to the end of the earth, that which is written on the heavens is bound to come to pass. But do thou carefully take note of everything in the palace, reporting each event to me from time to time, so that when thy evil moment approaches I can place before thee a sure defense. Especially do thou regard the actions of a Hindu noble recently arrived to join the Rani's cause. His looks I like not, though they be fair outwardly." "Thou canst not mean the Raja Prasad Singh"? asked Bipin, in astonished accents. "His name I cannot read as yet," returned the astrologer, "but if his image rises to thy mind from what I say, be assured he is the one who seeks to do thee so much injury." Then the astrologer put a question pointedly. "Of this Raja Prasad, of whom you speak. Does he stand close to the person of the Rani"? "He is ever at her side," replied Bipin. "He seeks to be appointed to the command of the troops in Jhansi." The astrologer shook his head gravely. "Come to me again shortly," he concluded. "Then I will disclose to thee further. Remember to do as I have counseled thee." As the astrologer appeared to be about to withdraw himself again into a state of profound abstraction. Bipin promised to return at an early date. With misgiving in place of elation in his heart, he left the house dejectedly. "It seems to me," he reflected, as he made his way thoughtfully along the alley. "It seems to me I have gained little satisfaction by visiting that astrologer. For twenty rupees I have found out that the Raja, Prasad Singh, is an enemy who seeks to possess himself of my nose and ears. Twenty rupees is a large sum to pay for such information. What evil things might not the astrologer have disclosed for fifty rupees? As to Prasad Singh, he is evidently jealous of my influence with the Rani. I must keep a close watch on him, and report to the astrologer frequently." Bipin had scarcely left the astrologer's presence, when the curtain was thrust aside and Ahmad Khan stood in the aperture. "Well, noble sir," said the astrologer, "I think I reduced that fool to a pliable state for our purpose." Ahmad laughed sardonically.