"That is an easy matter, noble Lord," he replied. "If thou wilt keep in mind my injunction not to breathe a word of it to Ahmad Khan, and repair to the tomb of Firoz Khan, nigh the temple of Siva, overlooking the lake at one hour before midnight, I will arrange to have two or three good fellows to meet thee there. A greater number would arouse suspicion at the gate, but for thy purpose they will be sufficient. The palace will be asleep, and thine enemy taken off his guard." "Thou seemest to know well the secrets of this affair, learned Astrologer," remarked Prasad. "Such is my profession, noble sir," replied Mohurran Goshi, with a note of pride in his voice. Prasad again buried himself in thought before he spoke. "Yes, learned Doctor," he rejoined finally. "If thou art sure thou canst aid me in the way suggested, I have more than made up my mind to follow thy counsel." A momentary flicker of satisfaction crossed the astrologer's crafty face. "As certain, noble sir," he replied emphatically, "as that the sand in the hour glass of thine enemy's fortune hath all but emptied itself into the lower vessel." "Then I will be there," decided Prasad, "at the appointed place and hour." "Good, noble Lord," exclaimed the astrologer. "Be assured I, too, will keep my part of the agreement. Hast thou taken the medicinal pills regularly"? he asked with professional concern. "To the devil with all pills and ointments," retorted Prasad. "My stomach yearns for other diet." "Nevertheless, sir," enjoined the astrologer in his character of physician. "They possess among other virtues that of stimulating the heart with courage." "I want no such stimulants," retorted Prasad. "An enchanting form ever present in my mind is stimulant enough for any act requiring courage. If they would only assist me in controlling my impatience for the hour to come, then I might regard them as of some benefit." "That they will also do, noble sir," asserted the astrologer. "Their extraordinary value lies in the fact that they are beneficial for any bodily or mental ailment." "Then they must be as remarkable in virtue as they are in price," returned Prasad tersely. He took a jewel from his turban and handed it to the astrologer. "This," said he, "is but a small portion of the reward I will bestow upon thee, if thy plan turns out as well as it promises." The astrologer expressed his gratitude in effusive terms. "But be careful that not even the walls shall hear of it"? he enjoined. "Fear not," replied Prasad. "At an hour before midnight I will be at the tomb of Firoz Khan on the day after to-morrow. See to it that the men are awaiting me." "Without fail, noble sir," reasserted the astrologer. He solemnly called down a thousand benedictions upon Prasad's head, _salaamed_, and with an air of profound mystery, retired to seek his bullock cart.