'What is that to me?' said Subdul. 'I obey orders. The Feringhees are slain?' 'Every man, woman, and child,' answered the soldier, savagely. 'How was it?' said Subdul. 'I have come in from the country, where I have been visiting my father, and I know nothing.' The party of sepoys, most of whom were intoxicated, for they had ransacked the officers' wine-stores, broke into a loud laugh. 'By Allah!' cried one, 'I never thought to see such a sight. The infidels were in the Fort, pouring out blasphemies, and shooting down the sons of the Prophet like sheep. The evil one helped them, for they were few in number. It was hot work, brother: and who cares to die in the moment of victory? Our mother, the Ranee, who is a true daughter of the Prophet, saw how it was with us, and promised them their lives if they would give her up the Fort. They believed her word, and came out. Then we bound them and carried them to the yokan Bagh, where we fell upon them with the sword. There were fifty in all; men, women, and children. The women cried for mercy, and some of us delayed to smite, that we might hear them. But the orders were to be swift, so we finished them; and there they lie, unburied, for the vultures and jackals to feed upon. So may all enemies of the Prophet perish!' He was answered by a shout that rang through the ruins. Subdul's fingers were playing with his sword; but he restrained himself, and said mildly, 'My brother is a man of war, and his deeds will win for him a place in Paradise! Will he tell me where this garden is? I have an enemy amongst the slain Feringhees, and I would fain see him with my own eyes.' The sepoy, to whom this was a most natural request, pointed with his finger to the opposite side of the maidan. 'There is a ruined mosque close by,' he said. 'The fathers of the devils we have slain desecrated it, and it has never been rebuilt since.' 'I know the place,' answered Subdul. Sweeping round, he left them to their devices, and, after a few minutes of rapid riding, rejoined his master. 'What news?' said Tom. 'The worst!' answered Subdul; and he repeated what he had heard, adding that the garden where the dreadful deed had been done was close by the spot where they were standing. For a few moments Tom was paralysed. This was worse--far worse--than he had dreamed. 'Women and children!' he groaned. 'Every one of them, Excellency.' 'The brutes! The devils! Subdul, if we had only a score of our Gumilcund men at our back----' 'We could do nothing, Excellency. There are hundreds in the city.' 'Cowards! every mother's son of them. I should have come with an army; but it is too late now. Let us look for the child.' 'Have I not told your Excellency that all were slain?' 'Aglaia is not dead! I am certain of it. Are you afraid to come into the garden where they lie, Subdul?' 'I will lead the way!' answered the man.