The majordomo was permitted to enter without question. He passed the
guards humbly. But once inside, beyond observation, he became a
different man. For in Umballa's house, as in Ramabai's, there were
secret chambers, and to-day the majordomo entered one of them--through
a panel concealed behind a hanging Ispahan rug.
On the night after the revolt, Umballa, sober and desperate, had slunk
back disguised as a candy seller. The house was not guarded then; so
he had no difficulty in gaining admittance. But he had to gain
entrance through a window in the zenana. He would not trust either his
servants, his slaves, or his chief eunuch. To the women of his own
zenana he had always been carelessly kind, and women are least bribable
of the two sexes.
Umballa entered at once his secret chamber and food and water were
brought, one of the women acting as bearer. On the morning after the
guards arrived, and Umballa knew not how long he might have to wait.
Through one of the women he sent a verbal message to the majordomo with
the result that each day he learned what was taking place in the
palace. So they hunted for the king.
He was very well satisfied. He had had his revenge; and more than
this, he was confident when the time came he would also gain his
liberty. He had a ransom to pay: the king himself!
Now then, Ramabai felt it incumbent on him to hold a banquet in the
palace, there to state to his friends, native and white, just what he
intended to do. And on the night of this sober occasion he sat in the
throne room before a desk littered with documents. As he finished
writing a note he summoned the majordomo.
"Have this delivered at once to Hare Sahib, whom you will find at his
bungalow outside the city. Tell him also that he must be present
to-night, he, his friend and his daughters. It is of vital importance."
Pundita, who was staring out of the window, turned and asked her lord
what he was sending the Colonel Sahib that he could not give him at the
banquet.
"A surprise, an agreeable surprise."
The majordomo cocked his ears; but Ramabai said nothing more.
At the colonel's bungalow there was rejoicing. Ramabai had written
that, since the king could not be found he would head the provisional
government as regent, search for and arrest Umballa, and at any time
the Colonel Sahib signified would furnish him with a trusty escort to
the railway, three days' journey away. He added, however, that he
hoped the Colonel Sahib would be good enough to remain till order was
established.
The majordomo contrived to tarry long enough to overhear as much of the
conversation as needed for he understood English--and then returned to
the city to carry the news to Umballa. To him Umballa gave a white
powder.