Kunwar Indrajit Singh returned home accompanied by Naharsingh and Tarasingh, and recounted everything to his younger brother. He too, upon hearing it all, became very distressed and began to ponder what should be done next. Both princes were deeply troubled. If they sent Tarasingh to investigate, there would be no ayyār left in Gaya, and if their father were to hear of this, he would be greatly grieved—which was their greatest concern. The two brothers remained in great anxiety until well past noon; only after midday did their worry lessen somewhat, when Pandit Badrinath, Bhaironsingh, and Jagannath Jyotishi arrived.

The arrival of these three brought great relief to the two princes, who felt certain now that their work would not be hindered.

Kunwar Indrajit Singh, Anand Singh, Tarasingh, Pandit Badrinath, Bhaironsingh, and the Jyotishi—all of them withdrew to the garden's outer pavilion, seeking solitude, and began to converse.

Anand Singh: "Well, sir, now even here the enemies have become numerous."

Jyotishi: "No matter, there is no harm in that."

Indrajit Singh: "Bhaironsingh, first tell us of your own situation—what happened after you left here?"

Bhaironsingh: "I realized on the way itself that Kishori was not there."

Indrajit Singh: "I too had learned that much."

Bhaironsingh: "Indeed, the same man who brought me the news must have come to you as well."

Indrajit Singh: "Well, what happened then?"

Bhaironsingh: "Nevertheless, I went there (gesturing towards Badrinath and the Jyotishi) and joined forces with these gentlemen. They were already present there with two hundred brave men. In the end, the result was that Diwan Agnidatt and two or three of his companions were arrested and sent to Chunar. As for Madhavi, no one knows where she has gone. All the people there were displeased with Agnidatt, so it was very easy for us to take control of the royal residence. I have now left Pannalal there with those two hundred men."

Badrinath: "Now tell us what has happened here. I have heard that some very strange affairs have taken place!"

Indrajit Singh: "You must have heard the account of this place from Bhaironsingh, but after that, a most peculiar incident occurred last night."

Tarasingh then recounted all the events of the night to them, which, upon hearing, left them all greatly

They became absorbed in these preparations.

While these people were still conversing, a chobdar came and announced, "Akhadnath Babaji is standing outside and wishes to come in." Upon hearing the name Akhandnath, they began to wonder who he was and where he had come from. At last, Indrajit Singh summoned him, and the moment he saw his face, he recognized him.

Reader, this Akhandnath Babaji is the very same who lived upon the fearsome mound in the middle of the Phalgu, opposite Ramshila, whom Madhavi used to visit, and who had saved Kishori's life at that time when, in the ruins, Bhimsen was about to plunge his dagger into her chest as he sat astride her. We have already recounted his