Today, after five days, Dev Singh has returned. In the very room whose account we have described above, King Virendra Singh, his two sons, Bhairon Singh, Tara Singh, and several other nobles are seated. Indrajit Singh's health is now much improved, and he is able to walk about. Seeing Dev Singh return so soon, everyone was convinced that he had accomplished the task for which he had been dispatched. Yet, what puzzled them was why he had come back alone.

Virendra Singh: "Tell me, Devisingh, are you happy?"

Devisingh: "Happiness is something I have bought and paid for! (Looking at the others) Well then, you all may go now. It's getting quite late."

After the courtiers and flatterers had left, Virendra Singh asked Devisingh—

Virendra Singh: "Tell me, was what you wrote in that petition true or false?"

Devisingh: "Everything written in it was absolutely true. By the grace of God, I was able to find those villains quickly, but what can I say? I witnessed such astonishing things that my mind is still reeling."

Virendra Singh (laughing): "While you see wonders there, we too have witnessed marvels here."

Devisingh: "Oh? What sort of marvels?"

Virendra Singh: "First, tell us your story, then you shall hear ours!"

Devisingh: "Very well, listen then. Beneath the Ramshila hill, I wrote a note with my own hand and posted it up. It read:"

"We know very well that anyone who opposes Agnidatt has his head cut off, and whose house you desire, you loot. I declare openly and boldly that no one is a greater enemy of Agnidatt than I, and in Gayaji, no one is wealthier than I am. The best part is, I am alone. Now let us see what you people can do to me!"

Anand Singh: "Well, what happened then?"

Devisingh: "I had tried several other ways to track down those villains, but this method proved most effective. Everyone passing by that road would read the note and move on. I would hide a little above the hill, behind a stone outcrop, and keep watch on it at all times. Once, two men came together, read the note, twirled their moustaches, and headed towards the city. In the evening, those same two returned, read the note again, shook their heads, and went off towards the neighboring hill. I thought to myself, I must follow them, for the note seemed to have affected them the most. So I followed them, and as I had suspected, my guess was correct. They were a group of fifteen or twenty men, all strong and burly fellows. Among them, I saw a woman as well. Ah, never before have I seen such a beautiful woman! At first, I thought she must be the daughter of one of them, for she was quite young, but no—the way she carried herself, the authority in her voice, made it clear she was their leader. Yet, to tell the truth, even now my heart refuses to believe it. Her gait, her elegant attire, and her exquisite, jeweled ornaments—set only with the most vibrant, precious rubies—captivated my attention so much that my heart..."

A strange situation arose.

The moment the name of the jeweled ornaments set with rubies was mentioned, it was as if Kunwar Anand Singh started in surprise. Even Indrajeet Singh and Tara Singh's expressions changed, and they grew restless to know more about this particular woman, for the woman they had glimpsed that night in this very room—or rather, this chamber—had also adorned herself with just such ruby-studded ornaments. At last, Anand Singh could not restrain himself; interrupting Dev Singh as he spoke, he asked—

Anand Singh: Please describe that woman from head to toe, in detail.

Dev Singh: Why so?

Virendra Singh (looking at the young men): What are you all so astonished about? Why do your faces show such surprise?

Bhairon Singh: Sir, the woman we saw was wearing just such jewelry as uncle is describing.¹

Virendra Singh: Indeed?

Bhairon Singh: Yes, exactly.

Dev Singh: What sort of woman did you all see?

Virendra Singh: That can be told later. First, answer what they are asking.

Dev Singh: What will you do with her description? The most certain mark is this: on her forehead, there is a crosswise scar, about two or two and a half fingers wide. It seems she must have once received a sword wound!

Anand Singh: That's enough, that's enough!

Indrajeet Singh: Without a doubt, it is the same woman.

Tara Singh: There can be no doubt—it is her.

Bhairon Singh: It must be her!

Virendra Singh: But it is strange—the company of those villains, and then her manner with us.

Bhairon Singh: We do not consider her an enemy.

Dev Singh: Now I shall say nothing more, until I have heard the full account of what happened here. I cannot make out what you all are talking about.

Virendra Singh: Very well, ask your nephew what happened here.

Tara Singh: Yes, listen, I will relate it.

Tara Singh then recounted everything that had happened here in detail. The flowers had been thrown away, but the bouquets still remained, and these too were shown. Dev Singh was perplexed—what could this matter be? After pondering for a long while, he said, "I simply cannot believe that the same woman was here…"

1. Although Bhairon Singh and Dev Singh were actually uncle and nephew, Bhairon Singh used to address him as 'uncle'.

"A woman must have come, the one I saw there!"

Virendra Singh: "We must put an end to this suspicion as well."

Devisingh: "Those people gather every day at the place I have seen. Today, I will take Tara or Bhairon with me. They themselves can see whether it is the same woman or another."

Virendra Singh: "Very well. Do just that today. Now, tell me more about what you found."

Devisingh: "I also learned there that those villains have made their permanent camp in that very mountain, and from