Sadescheo glanced timorously toward the open door. Within call were a dozen armed retainers who at the raising of his voice would rush to his assistance. But he knew full well that before they could reach his side, Ahmad's dagger would be buried a foot deep in his breast. If in turn, the Mohammedan were slain after he had made a pile of corpses to fall upon, that would be little satisfaction to him personally. He therefore called an attendant and gave the required order. For a moment the servant hesitated. "Go," cried Sadescheo nervously. "Go do my bidding, swiftly. What would you have now"? he asked of Ahmad. "That my troops receive food and lodging for the day," replied the other, "and that on my return to Jhansi to-night my lieutenant, Suliman Abhas and a hundred Afghans replace your people on the walls of the citadel. Further, thou wilt proclaim the Rani in _Darbar_ and hoist her banner on the gate." To this Sadescheo made a gesture indicative of enforced compliance. Presently, heavy footsteps in the passage announced the approach of Prasad and Ahmad's lieutenant. Upon entering they glanced from Sadescheo, still held in Ahmad's grasp, to their leader, and waited. With grim ceremony he presented them to the Maharaja. Sadescheo bade them a reluctant welcome. "With your permission, noble sir," suggested Ahmad, "we will proceed to your hall of audience. There the Rani's title will be proclaimed, and we will rest upon our return to Jhansi." Before an hour had passed the Rani of Jhansi's banner was flying beside that of Sadescheo, and Ahmad's troops had replaced those of the Maharaja on the walls. That night the two nobles set forth on their return to the capital. The burst of the monsoon in Jhansi had for the time passed over, so they rode leisurely through the clear atmosphere. First, they discussed the general prospects of the rebellion, then their successful descent upon Sadescheo, and lastly the condition of their personal affairs. "You carried your life upon the blade of your sword, when you entered Sadescheo's fortress," remarked Prasad admiringly. "It was an intrepid act." Ahmad laughed carelessly. "In truth no," he returned. "There are some men, I grant you, with whom it would have been a venturesome thing to do. It would be a dangerous trick to play upon such a one as Dost Mohammed, whose valour and resource rise with the greater odds against him. But with this Sadescheo"-- He uttered an exclamation of contempt as he concluded: "Upon him you have but to frown, and he shivers from his turban to his slippers." They rode on in silence for some distance across a wide plain, the troopers following in a long procession, phantom like by the light of the moon. Ahmad, apparently deep in thought, at last spoke in a reflective manner. "Thou art a fortunate man, friend Prasad. Providence hath undoubtedly taken thy affairs into her special keeping."