their own will and pleasure to the head of their family. To this party the three disappointed dowagers now turned, and heedless of the Napoleonic maxim concerning linge sale, gave up the correspondence between themselves and Nuthoo Mehta relating to the original plot. As the last letter was dated between two and three months after the Raja's death, it markedly strengthened Akhabhaee's claim, and seemed fatal to the hopes of the Durbar.

Limree, as a Rajpoot principality, in common with some others springing from the founder of the race whose descendants still reigned at Drangadra, cherished an old ceremony, the only sign left of its former power over its offshoots. The installation of one of these on the gadee was not considered complete without the attendance of the head of the tribe, or of his eldest son, to impress on his forehead in blood with a pricked finger, the central mark, called tilla, Hindoos so carefully paint afresh after their morning devotions. This family therefore bestirred itself on the question of the succession, and communicated to the British

Agency its willingness for the ladies of its house to be employed in testing the allegation of pregnancy set up.

Of all the intrigues alluded to, I was profoundly ignorant until the departure of my chief, when, as the senior assistant was absent, I became in a measure responsible, if not for the due administration of the affairs of the province, at least that nothing should transpire unreported affecting its interests and the character of our Government. Unknown to me, secret interviews had taken place between my native assistant, the dismissed Munguljee, and Deosee, a leading character at the capital, formerly much employed in public business, and still possessing influence.

It will be as well here to give a description of my assistant, Madhow Rao. He was an elderly Brahmin who had been educated at the court of the Peishwa, and there initiated in all the duplicity that was considered statesmanship. When his master fell he pursued his fortunes elsewhere, ending in the position he occupied under me. He was a man of great intelligence, full of much useful

local knowledge, bland and courteous in his manners yet withal of a frank and open address.

Deosee was a colleague in every way fitted to join or cope with him; of mature age, possessing both Indian and English experience, on visiting and friendly terms with the European gentry, of great reputed wealth (some 30,000l. were in deposit at the Agency pending the adjustment of one of his disputes), subtle, plausible, and well mannered.

Munguljee was of an inferior stamp; he loved to work like a mole underground, and it was difficult to judge of the extent of his abilities.

These three met together in secret conclave. The fact I did not know till long afterwards; the purport was never disclosed: I can only judge therefore by the fruits. First, my man broke ground on a petition presented by Akhabhaee, complaining that the Government officer in charge of the district was a tool in the hands of the Durbar, openly supporting it, and refusing to let any of his people into the place, and declaring that there could be no doubt of preparations being in progress for the introduction of a spurious child

as heir; and that as the British Government had tied his hands, he claimed that justice should be done him.

By the conversation that ensued upon this petition Madhow Rao was able to discover to what extent I might be depended upon, if his previous experience of my character left him any room for doubt. It is needless to state what took place between my chief and myself consequent on the above. The former, though at a distance, still held control of the general affairs of the province, whilst I was left at head-quarters transacting current work.

Shortly after receipt of this petition, Deosee paid me a visit. After the usual preliminaries, he said the main object of his call was to let me know, for Mr. E's information, as he was unable from lameness to travel all that distance himself, of the extraordinary reports prevailing in the town injurious to that gentleman's character, to wit, that a cart laden with rupees had been sent by the Limree Durbar into the town, and the next morning conveyed to the Agency treasury; and it

was in everybody's mouth that this was the money sent as an equivalent for being permitted to keep the reins of power in their own hands. He did not credit this rumour himself, but it was so widely circulated, that he thought it right to let Mr. E— know, as he was well aware that the thing was entirely opposed to British sense of propriety and usage.

I duly conveyed this message, and the correspondence that ensued ended in my being directed to proceed to Limree to make enquiries as to the prospect or otherwise of direct succession, and as to whether the money in question, which had actually reached the capital in the way mentioned, had been supplied by the Limree Durbar or not. Madhow Rao was not allowed to accompany me, but another sent in his stead. I accordingly proceeded to the spot, and the Drangadra family was requested to join me there to assist in my enquiry.

The difficulty of such an enquiry it is impossible for the uninitiated to realise. No male, not even a brother after childhood, can see a young Rajpootnee of rank; consequently, facts can only be