Kumran looked round his nobles, then into his own heart.  What he saw there was such a tissue of lies and deceit that he could find no clear decision; so, as usual, he temporised.  “It is worth a trial,” he murmured.  “I might ask for much.”

“Ask for all and everything,” said Dearest-Lady, who felt she had gained her point; “I make but one condition.  The child must remain unharmed until I return.”

Again Kumran hesitated.  Again he looked in his own heart.  Again he found no clear cause for decision there; so he said doubtfully: 

“Until you return?”

“Nay! swear it,” came the high, insistent voice.  “Say before them all, ’By the memory of my dear father no harm shall come to the child ere you return.’”

Half unwillingly Kumran repeated the words and Dearest-Lady gave a sigh of relief.  She had gained her point.  But now that she had to face the consequences of her offer to go forth and meet Humayon her heart sank within her; for she was very old and not over strong.  The journey was long; winter was coming on fast.  Still it had to be done, and at once.  For Kumran’s promise of safety to the Heir-to-Empire was only during her absence, and who knew whether his craft might not claim freedom to do as he chose ere she started!

So she made her arrangements for that very evening, and she had much to do.  To begin with she must see the Heir-to-Empire the very last thing, and make certain that he was well cared for.  Then she had to arrange for the safety and comfort of Head-nurse, Foster-mother and little Bija, for it was unlikely they would be allowed to be with the little Prince.  He must, however, have some one with him to whom the child was accustomed, and Roy, being still quite a lad, might not be considered dangerous.  Then his gift of story-telling might make the ladies in the women’s apartments more inclined to have him.  Anyhow she must try her best to secure his stopping with his young master, and to this end she ordered him some fine clothes and gave him a finely bedizened lute; for since he came to Kabul they had found out that he could play the vina beautifully.

Thus just before sunsetting, leaving poor Head-nurse and Foster-mother in floods of tears, while poor little Bija was sobbing her very heart out, and good dog Tumbu was slowly wagging his tail as his eyes asked sorrowfully if he might not come, too, she started on her journey, going round by the Chief Palace on her way.

Now, Dearest-Lady’s visits were considered to be an honour, so she had no difficulty in gaining admittance.  And once inside the women’s apartments she simply turned to the first attendant and said curtly that she had come to see the Heir-to-Empire and say farewell to him; therefore he must either be brought to her or she must go to him.  Boldness succeeded, as it always does, and she was shown into a room where she found little Prince Akbar playing contentedly with Down the cat, who was running about after a ball like a young kitten.  She stopped when she saw Dearest-Lady, and giving an apologetic miaow, as who should say, “I was obliged to amuse him somehow,” settled herself down on the rug and began as usual to purr.  Of course Mirak forgot all about her in his joy at seeing Dearest-Lady and Roy, and it was some time before the former could ask the attendant how the cat had managed to get there.