Vandiyathevan marveled at how cleverly the secret passages in the Kadambur palace had been constructed. He knew only half of their workings, and if he tried to descend or ascend them in haste, danger might befall him. If the crocodile moved while he was halfway down the steps, he would be trapped in the narrow crevice of the wall, left to struggle helplessly.

He carefully checked whether the crocodile remained motionless, then approached the door-bar and prepared to set his foot down. Ah! What was that? Footsteps echoed along the tunnel! Who was coming? Could it be Azhwarkadiyan? Was he searching for him? It would be best to prevent him from reaching this place. No, no—it was not just one person approaching. The sound of footsteps was as if five or six people were coming together. In that case, it might be Idumbankari and his accomplices.

With a single leap, Vandiyathevan sprang away and hid once more behind the tailless monkey. Ah! Had he left the secret passage open? Would that arouse suspicion? No, no! When he had arrived, the passage had already been open. Only after he had climbed up did the passage close itself! Therefore, it was good that it remained open. Look—through the doorway, a head appeared. It was Idumbankari’s head! Now, with one foot on the upper step, he was scanning all around. Only one foot remained below. Perhaps he kept it there to prevent the door from closing by itself!

Oh dear! What is this light on this side? The elephant’s head on the wall was moving aside! The way to the women’s quarters was being revealed! Who was coming through that entrance? Ah, was it not Manimekalai herself, carrying a lamp in her hand!

Idumbankari, in a single bound, climbed up; the way he had come closed behind him. He snatched up his turban cloth and began hurriedly dusting off the tiger skin nearby! What would be the end of this drama?

Manimekalai lifted her lamp and looked all around. When her gaze fell upon Idumbankari, she stared at him in astonishment. Idumbankari stopped dusting and, in turn, looked at Manimekalai with surprise.

“Mother! What is this? Why have you come here at this hour?” he asked.

“Idumba! Is it you? What are you doing here?” Manimekalai inquired. “Amma! Tomorrow, the guests are to be brought here to the hunting pavilion and shown around, aren’t they? That’s why I’m cleaning up. When the young master left for Kanchi, he gave me such instructions.”

“Yes, Idumba! In this entire palace, it is only you and I whom the young master trusts. I was just checking if the arrangements were proper in the room where the Queen of Pazhuvoor will be staying. At that moment, I heard some noise here. I thought it must be you—who else knows the secret ways of this palace? How long have you been working here?”

“It must be more than a naazhigai, mother! There’s still another naazhigai’s worth of work left. Did you come here alone? Where is that chatterbox Chandramathi?”

“I heard some noise, so I sent her to fetch your father. Are you the one here? I’ll go and stop her.”

Saying this, Manimekalai lifted the lamp and observed the change in Idumbankari’s expression. Then, as if by habit, she glanced at the tailless monkey. She noticed it move, just as it had once before.

“Yes, mother! The master has so many matters to attend to today. Please go and tell them not to disturb him, and rest peacefully. I’ll take care of everything,” said Idumbankari. Manimekalai went back the way she had come, and the secret door closed behind her.

Idumbankari went near the elephant-faced statue and pressed his ear to the wall, listening intently for a while. Once he was certain there was no sound from the next room, he returned. He opened the trapdoor, descended the steps until his waist was below the floor, and stood there. From within the passage, the hoot of an owl was heard. In response, Idumbankari gave an answering owl call. The sound of people walking through the tunnel reached him. After that, events unfolded rapidly.

A bat flapped its wings and flew past with a rustle. Idumbankari watched it. Suddenly, the tailless monkey leapt onto his shoulders from behind. Taken by surprise at the sudden weight, Idumbankari’s knees buckled and he staggered. As a result, he had to descend two more steps. At first, not knowing what had fallen upon him, Idumbankari muttered in confusion.

He struck out, flailing his arms and kicking. Then, he realized that what had fallen upon him was nothing but a lifeless, tailless monkey. Steeling his heart, he tried to lift it and set it aside.

But just then, two hands—like those of a living man—appeared above him at the threshold, pressing down and pushing him further below. Idumbankari could hardly believe it. For a moment, a great terror seized him. He looked up and down again. He noticed that the tailless monkey was hanging headfirst through the doorway, and that after half its body had descended, the door itself had come close behind it. He convinced himself that the two hands he had seen must have been a figment of his own imagination.

By now, those who had entered the underground passage were drawing near. Ravidasan, who led the way, asked, “Ayyo! What is this? Why are you raving, striking out and shouting like this? Is there any danger? Should we turn back?”

“No, no! There is no danger. When I opened the door to the underground passage, this monstrous monkey somehow shifted and fell on my head! For a moment, I too was frightened. Now, this monkey is blocking the way, neither going up nor coming down. Wait a moment; I’ll move this monkey and clear the path,” said Idumbankari.

Dear readers, you may have guessed whose hands had pressed down on the stumbling Idumbankari from above. Even in this moment, fortune