The moment the nurse came running in with the news that the spy had been captured, bound, and was being brought through the streets, the hearts of all three present were seized with agitation. Kundavai’s heart fluttered the most.

“Devi! Shall we go and see what that mischievous spy looks like?” asked Nandini.

With hesitation, Kundavai replied, “What is it to us, about him?”

“In that case, very well!” Nandini said carelessly.

“I’ll go and take a look,” Kandanmaran said, stumbling as he tried to rise.

“No need; you can’t walk yet, you’ll fall!” Nandini said.

As if she had changed her mind, Kundavai said, “Since he is your dear friend, shouldn’t we too see what he looks like? Won’t we be able to see from the upper terrace of the palace?”

“We’ll see very well; come with me!” said Nandini, rising and walking ahead.

“Devi! If he is indeed my friend, I must speak to my uncle and arrange to meet him!” said Kandanmaran.

“How are we to know if he is truly your friend?” Nandini asked.

“In that case, I will come along too, no matter what!” Kandanmaran declared, stumbling after them.

The three of them went to the front façade of the palace’s upper terrace. At a short distance, seven or eight horses were approaching. On them rode warriors armed with spears. In their midst, a man walked, his hands tied behind his back with rope. The two ends of the rope were held by horsemen on either side. A little behind the soldiers, a crowd had gathered to watch the spectacle.

From the palace terrace, those watching could not at first see the face of the man walking between the horses.

Until the procession drew near, silence reigned on that upper terrace of the palace. Kundavai’s heart was a tumult of longing and anxiety, her tear-brimming eyes fixed upon the approaching procession.

Nandini, meanwhile, kept glancing down the street, then immediately turning to watch Kundavai’s face.

Kandanmaran broke the silence that had settled over them.

“No; that is not Vandiyathevan!” he declared.

Kundavai’s face blossomed with relief.

At that moment, the strange procession had reached the base of the palace balcony.

The man being led, bound with ropes and surrounded by horsemen, looked up in bewilderment. Kundavai recognized him as the physician’s son.

Suppressing her joy, Kundavai said, “What madness is this? Why are they dragging him here? Is he not the son of the Pazhaiyarai physician?”

The man who had looked up seemed about to speak, his mouth opening as if to say something. But before he could utter a word, the rope binding him was tugged forward, pulling him along.

“Oh! Is that so? My brother-in-law’s men are always like this. They let the real culprit go and bring in someone else to trouble us!” said Nandini.

Meanwhile, Kandanmaran said, “Would Vandiyathevan be caught so easily by these people? My friend is a great Indrajit! The man who fooled even me—would he fall into