"The King might kill me," said the man, observing the action; "a word, and the head of Pahar Singh is struck from his body by those eunuchs yonder. There is no escape hence--is it not so? Yet I have trusted thee, O King, and do not fear thee, even as thou didst not fear me. I am here, true to thy salt; and what I have to tell thee is as true as I am." "Fear not," said the King, "and speak freely; thou art safe here." "Does he know all?" asked the robber, pointing to the Meerza. "All, friend. Was he not with me, and are not these the letters?" returned the King. "Else----" "I believe thee, Adil Khan," said Pahar Singh. "Now, listen: time is short, and much has to be done ere thou art safe." The King started. "Safe?" he cried. "Ay, safe, my lord. Khan Mahomed was at Almella yesterday, and is on his way hither now. He will be here about the third watch of the day, or sooner. What brings him, think you?" said Pahar Singh, rapidly. "I sent him a letter of assurance, and he believes it," said the King. "Believes it, King? He?" exclaimed the man derisively. "He? Thou art but a simple boy to think so. No, he has understood it rightly, and in reply has brought some hundreds of my men with him. What for?--it is in thine eyes to ask--what for? I will tell thee. Ah! thy heart tells thee now: there is no need for me to speak." "Then his designs are evil, friend," said the King, with a slight shudder. "King! without that letter he was not to be trusted. After he received it he knew his fate," returned Pahar Singh. "We--I--have an evil reputation, they say: and he believed I would do anything for money. He sent an express messenger for me from Nuldroog. I had come here with those letters, but my son went. Money was offered to him: rank--an estate--whatever he pleased. Money? yea, much money. A lakh of rupees--more. Why? thou already knowest. Yes--to kill thee, O Adil Khan, thou wert not to live over to-day. My son pleaded fatigue and my absence--time also to collect the men. That is why Khan Mahomed did not arrive yesterday. That is why he is at Almella now. My son is shrewd and wise--he secured all he could of the Wuzeer's money; and then--ah, blessed boy!--he rode on to meet me last night. Ha, ha! they thought he had gone to Itga to hurry on the men; but he is a good youth--he knew what to do. A gallant horse is that which that Lalla left with us; thy life was on its feet, O Prince! and my boy was in sore temptation. So he reached me last night, just as I had gained my hiding-place, of which he knew. Ah, I was sick at heart, for my brother was dead----" "Dead!" cried the secretary; "God forbid! he was with thee, and well."