“I am thankful that you have come, my son, for I am sick unto death,” said the rajah. “My own physicians know not what is the matter with me, and I have sent to beg that the English doctor who has accompanied the resident may forthwith come and prescribe for me.”
Reginald, of course, expressed a hope that the doctor would soon arrive, and have the happiness of restoring him to health.
“And now let me hear an account of your adventures,” said the rajah.
Reginald briefly gave it; not forgetting to speak in the highest terms of Burnett, in the hope that the rajah would be induced to sanction his marriage with Nuna. He then thought it right to tell his grandfather of the information he had received from Khan Cochût.
“He is a cunning fellow, and may have wormed it out of some of the natives, though I doubt whether many would trust him,” observed the rajah. “But you tell me that a slave of that traitor Balkishen has been captured; let him be brought to me. He knows more about his master’s affairs than any one else, and for the sake of saving his life will willingly give all the information he possesses.”
Reginald was still with the rajah when Nuna arrived. She was overwhelmed with grief at seeing him so ill. He spoke to her kindly, but it was evident that he had transferred his affections to his grandson, whom he looked upon as his successor. Reginald did his best to make amends to her for the change in their grandfather’s manner; but she seemed rather pleased than otherwise, having had no ambition to occupy the exalted position to which she had been destined. Perhaps she reflected that it might remove all objections the rajah would have entertained with regard to bestowing her hand on her brother’s friend.
Soon after she had retired, the slave Bikoo, for whom Reginald had sent, was brought, heavily chained, into the presence of the rajah, who at once promised him his life on condition that he would afford all the information he possessed regarding the proceedings of his late master Balkishen.
“You have described him certainly as a great villain,” observed the rajah, when the slave had apparently finished his account; “but is there nothing else you can add? I was already aware of most of the circumstances you have told me.”
“I will confess to another crime, if I may be pardoned for taking part in it; for consider, O Rajah! In your benignity, that I am but a slave, and my master compelled me to act the part I did,” answered Bikoo, trembling all over.
“You have my promise, wretched slave, that no punishment shall overtake you on account of anything you may confess,” said the rajah. “Say on, slave.”