In the dark tunnel, Vandiyathevan planted his foot firmly, walking carefully so as not to fall. The steps descended for a short distance. Then the path leveled out. Again, there were steps. Once more, a level floor. He stretched out both hands to feel for the walls, but his fingers touched nothing. So, this tunnel must be quite wide. After proceeding a little further, the steps now ascended. It seemed to curve as well. Oh, how much farther must I stumble and grope in this pitch darkness?

Ah! What is this? The darkness is lessening! A faint, very dim light is appearing! Where does this pale light come from? Is it the moonlight filtering through some opening in the roof? Or light entering through some lattice in the walls? Or is it the glow from a hidden lamp placed somewhere?

No, no! What a wonder is this? Is the scene unfolding before my eyes real, or is it an illusion conjured by a confused mind?

It was a vast hall. A treasury chamber carved out of solid stone. That is why the ceiling above was so low and flat, threatening to strike his head. The dim, silvery light filling that treasury was not coming from outside; neither through the roof nor through any lattice. Here and there, in clusters and in scattered heaps, the light shimmered across the hall. Ah! What are these objects that glimmer with such moonlight? In one corner, there were jeweled crowns—crowns encrusted with pearls, rubies, and diamonds. In another place, necklaces—strings of pearls, garlands of navaratna gems. And there, in that wide-mouthed casket—what is that? My God! All those are white pearls, like unopened jasmine buds! Round, plump, heavy pearls! And in that vessel, gold coins gleaming like the bright yellow sun. Here, stacked in heaps, were gold ingots. This must be the treasury chamber of the Thanjavur palace!

Is it any wonder that, adjoining the mansion of the Chief Pazhuvettaraiyar, there should be this secret, dark palace and within it, this treasury chamber?

Oh, what fortune! Have I truly entered the treasury hall? Surely, Lady Luck and the goddess of destiny themselves must have brought me here! What a marvelous, rare secret I have discovered—without any effort of my own! How to use this knowledge? Let that come later; for now, I feel no desire to leave this place! I feel as if I could wander here forever! If I stayed here, would hunger and thirst... I do not know! Sleep does not come near me, not even close! All the rewards of the victories won by the brave armies of Chola Nadu over the past hundred years are gathered here. The very navanidhi—the nine treasures—they speak of, all of it is here! The wealth stored here would put Kubera’s own treasury to shame. Why should I leave this behind and go elsewhere?

Vandiyathevan circled around the moonlit chamber. He touched the jeweled crowns lying in one corner. In another place, he picked up