Two minutes later the men entered. Imambux commanded the Rajah's
troops, while Khoosheal was the master of his household.

"All has gone off well," the Rajah said; "I am pleased with you,
Khoosheal. One more at most, and we shall have done with them.
Little do they think what their good friend Nana Sahib is preparing
for them. What a poor spirited creature they think me to kiss the
hand that robbed me, to be friends with those who have deprived
me of my rights! But the day of reckoning is not far off, and then
woe to them all! Have any of your messengers returned, Imambux?"

"Several have come in this evening, my lord; would you see them
now, or wait till morning?"

"I will see them now; I will get the memory of these chattering
men and these women with their bare shoulders out of my mind. Send
the men in one by one. I have no further occasion for you tonight;
two are better than three when men talk of matters upon which an
empire depends."

The two officers bowed and retired, and shortly afterwards the
attendant drew back the curtain again, and a native, in the rags
of a mendicant, entered, and bowed till his forehead touched the
carpet. Then he remained kneeling, with his arms crossed over his
chest, and his head inclined in the attitude of the deepest humility.

"Where have you been?" the Rajah asked.

"My lord's slave has been for three weeks at Meerut. I have obeyed
orders. I have distributed chupaties among the native regiments,