“Now you’ve tumbled down,” remarked the Heir-to-Empire suavely, as, astride his cousin’s prostrate body, he paused for breath ere getting up.

Of course, some people said it wasn’t fair; but others admitted that though not the polite style of wrestling, such a method was strictly within the rules.  All, however, admired the big, bold, strong little Heir-to-Empire; all but his aunt and uncle; and the former bid Head-nurse take away her young savage at once, while the latter’s crafty face, uneasy before, settled into a scowl.

But Head-nurse could hardly contain her joy, even when Foster-father shook his wise old head and said he would not have had it happen for all the wealth of the world, for of late, if he were not much mistaken, things had been shaping ill for his young master, and that very morning a secret messenger had come in from Kabul.  What it might portend who could say; but it was bad fortune the child should lose favour at Court to such slight purpose.

“Slight, indeed!” sniffed Head-nurse.  “Is it not something to have shown that woman that her brat cannot stand up before true Kingship?”

“I would it were so, woman,” replied Foster-father, “but a child under three with but two old men and two boys for protection cannot show much fight.”

Head-nurse tossed her head.  “So we women are not to count—­” she began; but Baby Akbar had been listening seriously and now put in with his deep childish voice, and a wise little shake of the head: 

“And there’s Tumbu and Down, too; they can bite and scratch beautifully for me when they like.”

Whereupon Foster-mother caught him up, and wept, and swore that Heaven must and would protect such a heart’s darling.

Perhaps it was this conversation which put the idea of getting help into the children’s heads, but after a time it was evident they had some plan between them, for after watching the women light hundreds of little lamps, and set out a quantity of tiny platters full of sweets, they stole off by themselves to an empty room which was almost dark and began to whisper.

“I think it had better be grand-dad,” said the Heir-to-Empire gravely, “’cos my father isn’t dead yet, and they must be deaders, you know, if they are really to help.”

“And we’ll take the little summer room at the very top of the house, Mirak, so’s we’ll be able to stop him on his way down, ’case any one else has got a platter for him,” said Bija the practical.  “Now, Mirak, I’ll fetch the sweets if you’ll get some lamps.  They won’t be missed, you know, if we take them betwixt and between.”

After that there was much secret hurrying up and down stairs and secret gurglings of delight as the preparations advanced.

“Oh, Mirak!  Won’t it be lovely?  He’s sure to come in when he sees it!” said the little girl, clasping her hands.  “And Old Faithful was saying that Grand-dad Babar was as good as twenty other men in a fight, so then you’ll be quite safe.”