Ahmad bowed his head in acknowledgment of the other's confidence. "Everyone hath an enemy," he replied, "who will misrepresent a good intention. If influence of mine can do thee service, by the holy _Kaaba_ I swear the Rani will go into _Darbar_ with but thy name upon her lips. "Come! The day breaks," he concluded, "and we are still some leagues from Jhansi." Again he halted to dismount and pray with his face toward holy Mecca. Ahmad's devotions were of short duration. He concluded with a petition to Allah to witness the truth in his heart. Then vaulting into the saddle, he drove his spurs into his horse's flanks. With arms glinting in the sunshine, at a canter, he bravely led the cavalcade. Chapter VII _HOW AHMAD KEPT HIS OATH_ Ahmad returned alone to the Rani's palace. To avert all suspicion of his conduct, he dismissed his Afghans to the cantonments on approaching the city. With the plea of furthering Prasad's interest, he had advised the Hindu noble to absent himself when the report of their expedition was made. It would be difficult, he explained, to properly advocate the claim of another, if the person chiefly concerned were present. Prasad clearly perceived the force of the Mohammedan's suggestion. He relied implicitly upon the other's good faith, and readily acquiesced. "Make my best _salaams_ to the divine Rani," he enjoined Ahmad on parting, "and say that I will come to her side as soon as I have changed my attire for garments more suitable to the presence of a queen." Ahmad vowed that he would leave no compliment unsaid on Prasad's behalf. "In truth," he reflected, as he proceeded on his way, "I may be wrong, but this Rani of ours seems rather to prefer the smell of powder to the most delicate perfume of Teheran. I fancy the courtier finds less favor in her eyes than the man-at-arms. Ah what a treasure! What an _houri_. She must, by the God of Islam, she shall be mine, if I am compelled to play a hundred different parts in turn." As Ahmad dismounted, the beggar who had petitioned everyone entering the palace that morning, ceased his cry for alms. He crouched further into his corner as instinct told him it was the fierce Mohammedan at hand--one whose boast was that he neither feared nor pitied any human being. Ahmad remarked the beggar's action. "Thou poor wretch," said he in a voice into which he threw as much compassion as he could assume. "Art dumb now as well as blind."? Surprise was depicted on the face of the beggar, who had learned by past experience to expect a curse if he ventured to address Ahmad Khan. "Noble Lord," he faltered. "Is it truly the voice of the great Ahmad that I hear"? "Whose voice else"? demanded the Mohammedan in return. The beggar shrugged his shoulders. "Lord I know not," he answered. Ahmad cast a small coin at the beggar's feet, and ascended the palace steps. On the porch Bipin had been an interested spectator of the scene.