Desmond felt in a maze of bewilderment. It was clear that Diggle was ignorant of the whereabouts of the ladies; where had they been spirited to, and by whom? Apparently there had been an attack on the house, and they had been carried away: was it by friends or foes? What was the meaning of the paper found by Diggle? Had the Babu had any hand in the latest disappearance, or was it his letter that had put some one else on their track? Desmond had heard nothing of Surendra Nath or his father since the sack of Calcutta. There was no clue to the solution of the problem. Meanwhile it was necessary to get back to Calcutta. The journey had been delayed too long already, and Hossain’s employer the grain merchant would have good reason for complaint if he felt that his business was being neglected. "We must go, khansaman," said Desmond. The man was nothing loth. They returned by the way they had come. Desmond left the man some distance short of Sinfray’s house, promising, in return for his assistance, to use his best offices with the irate manjhi[#] on his behalf. Then he struck off for the point lower down the river where his boat was moored. As soon as he arrived they got under way, and late that evening reached Tanna Fort, where they had to deliver their cargo of rice for the use of the Nawab’s garrison. [#] Steersman. In the dead of night they were surprised by a visit from Hubbo, the serang’s brother. He had seen them, as they passed, from one of the sloops that lay in the river opposite to the fort. Though in chief command of the Nawab’s boats at that point, he was still secretly loyal to the Company, and was anxious to serve their interests to the best of his power. He had now brought important news. The three sloops and two brigantines that lay off the fort were, he said, filled with earth. On the approach of Admiral Watson’s fleet they were to be scuttled and sunk in the fairway. A subahdar[#] of Manik Chand’s force was at present on board one of the sloops to superintend the work of scuttling. The signal would be given by the subahdar himself from his sloop. [#] Equivalent to captain of infantry. "Very well, Hubbo," said Desmond, "that signal must not be given." "But how prevent it, sahib? I wish well to the Company; have I not eaten their salt? But what can one man do against many? The subahdar is a very fierce man; very zabburdasti.[#] When he gives the word it will be death to disobey." [#] Masterful. Desmond sat for some time with his chin on his hands, thinking. Then he asked: "Do you know where the British fleet is at present?" "Yes, sahib. I was in the bazar to-day; it was said that this morning the ships were still at Fulta. The sepoys are recovering from their privations during the voyage."