"Never tell any one of what I ask from you. Let me have two spears. You shall get them back."
What will you do with spears, mother, I pray?"
"To-day I celebrate the Vira-Panchami rite,—which blesses the woman celebrating it with a heroic son. The ceremony requires the worship of weapons. I am desirous of getting a son. Don't tell it to any one."
The guard understood as he was made to understand. All the servants in the castle paid her implicit obedience; and the man, without another word, went in and brought out two sharpened spears.
With her former speed, Bimala returned to the window, with the spears, opened the window as before, and hurried forth to Jagat Singha.
Whether through the excitement of hurry, or feeling secure in the thought that she should be by, and return immediately, Bimala did not lock the passage, when going out; and this afforded entrance to danger. An armed man stood behind a mangoe tree very close to the window. He perceived this error; but did not stir so long as Bimala was not out of sight. When she had disappeared, he left his sounding shoes, and by soft steps neared the entrance; and casting a glance within to see if any one was there, and seeing none, noiselessly glided in. He then entered the castle by the door of the room.
On the other side, the Prince took the spears from Bimala, and, as before, ascended the tree. He then looked at the other tree which he had marked; but now saw only one turban;—the second person had disappeared. Then holding one spear in his left hand, he took the other in the right, and aiming at
