Vandiyathevan stood hesitantly for a while near the threshold, weighed down by anxiety. For a moment, he considered whether he should leap upon the guard—who stood there twirling his moustache, eyeing the tigers—and subdue him, tie him up, and make his way forward. But beyond the cages of the tigers, he could see two more guards stationed at the next entrance. One of them signaled something to this guard and then moved on. Were they, perhaps, speaking in gestures about him? Even if he managed to overpower and escape this guard, there would be many such entrances ahead, each with its own sentry. Would it be possible to overcome them all and escape? Would it not be easier, instead, to make a single bold leap, open the tiger cages, and, in the ensuing chaos, slip away unnoticed?

As these thoughts ran through his mind, the guard said, “Oh ho! Are you thinking of escaping?” Vandiyathevan started for a moment at these words. One of the tigers growled. “Hey, you dog! Lie still!” the guard shouted harshly.

When Vandiyathevan realized that the man was speaking to the tiger, he smiled. The guard turned and looked at him.

“Look here, sir! This tiger is trying to threaten me. I have seen plenty of tigers like this! This lion’s pride will not be humbled by it,” he said, twirling his moustache once more.

Vandiyathevan replied, “As long as it’s inside the cage, a tiger and a rat are one and the same! How can its pride be humbled?” With these words, he displayed the signet of the great Velar in his hand.

“Go on, sir, go on! The Prime Minister’s men are waiting for you at the entrance! Hurry up!” said the guard, and then, turning towards the direction they had come from, he shouted, “Hey, madman! Will you never keep quiet?”

At that moment, Vandiyathevan was holding the madman’s hand. Sensing the tremor in his companion’s hand, he gripped it tighter to give him courage. Then, both of them passed the guard and moved forward. As they did, they heard the guard mutter, “Everyone wants liberation, liberation! If we set everyone free, what will become of our livelihood?”

Even though Vandiyathevan was a man of great courage, at that moment his heart was pounding “pak, pak” within his chest. The words of the guard—that the Prime Minister’s men were waiting at the entrance—remained etched in his mind. It was dark inside the prison; because of this, it would be easy to deceive the guards here and slip away. But outside, there would be light, wouldn’t there? What would happen if the Prime Minister’s men discovered this exchange of identities? Still, let’s try our luck! One must be prepared for anything! Fortunately, this madman is a clever madman; he will lend a hand at the right moment!…

After passing through several gates of the underground prison, they hurried past the doors of the gold coin minting hall as well. The guards stationed here