“Have you so? But you forget, my friend, that bars may be broken and keepers bribed.” “Neither of which you will dare to do.” “And why, my faithful Jewan?” “For two reasons.” “And they are--” “That I would denounce you sooner than you should have her, and kill you if you attempted to take her.” “Oh, oh! Jewan Bukht, the good days that are coming for us are making you bold indeed. Have a care, my youth. I have performed some deeds of daring in my time, and brook not insolence from one who has passed his days in scribbling for the English dogs.” “You will find that I can wield something more formidable than a pen if you taunt me,” returned Jewan, the passion glow rising in his dusky face. “May be so,” answered Moghul sarcastically; “but in spite of your threats I tell you I shall take this woman back.” “You speak authoritatively. By what right will you take her back?” “By the King’s command. Ah, ah, ah!--oh, oh! There I have you, Jewan.” Jewan’s brows contracted, for he felt that he was beaten, and dare not disobey that command. “Come, come,” continued the other; “don’t look as if a jungle cat had bitten you. After all, you are not called upon to give up much, and you cannot afford to quarrel with the King. He heard of this woman almost directly after you left, and he despatched me instantly to bring her back. So give me the key of your cage, and let me get the work done, for I don’t like these jobs. Besides, I am anxious to get back to Delhi, for there are rare times there now, and rupees are plentiful.” “Well, as there is no help for it,” said Jewan, “I suppose I must. But I should like to have broken this woman’s spirit, for she has defied me.” “Pshaw! there is higher game to fly at than that. Besides, there are good times dawning for Cawnpore, and you will come in for a share of the spoil. But let us have our supper, for I am hungered.” Hadjee had already turned the rice on to a large brass dish, and added to it the indispensable mess of curry, and having procured some water from a neighbouring well, the four men seated themselves round the rice, and commenced to eat. When the meal was ended, Moghul rose. At the same moment, a tall, powerful, and savage-looking man entered; his name was Haffe Beg, and he was employed by Jewan Bukht, on behalf of Nana Sahib, as a spy. Jewan rose as the man entered. “Ah, Haffe! what news? You have been absent for some days.” “Yes,” answered the man gruffly; “I have had business.” “Important, I suppose, since it has detained you?” said Jewan. “Yes; word was brought to me a few days ago that a woman and an Englishman were travelling from Delhi towards Cawnpore.” “Indeed!” cried Moghul Singh; “who were they?” “I don’t know; but evidently fugitives, and of importance. The woman came from the Palace; she was a Cashmere woman, I believe. The man was an English officer.”