Page:Durgesa Nandini.djvu/149

 "Kalma; well then?"

"Then they said, 'You have become a Musalman.' Since then I am a Musalman."

"What of the other inmates?" here enquired the Prince.

"All the other Brahmins have fared like me."

The Prince fixed his eyes on Osman. Understanding his silent rebuke, Osman said,

"And where's the harm in it, Prince? We consider Mahommedanism as the only true faith; and consider it no sin but a virtue to spread it by any means."

"Noble Vidyadiggaja—" said the Prince without replying to Osman.

"Now, Shaikh Diggaja, if you please."

"Very well; noble Shaikh, know you anything of any other inmates of the castle?"

Osman grew anxious, understanding the motive of the Prince.

"Besides, Abhiramswami has escaped," said Diggaja.

The Prince saw that he must (if he should learn anything) speak directly.

"What has become of Virendra Singha?" asked he.

"The Nabab has beheaded him," replied the Brahmin.

The Prince's face reddened.

"What does he say?" he asked Osman. "Is the Brahmin telling a fib?"

"After trying him," replied Osman seriously, "the Nabab has executed him as a rebel."

The Prince's eyes flashed fire.

"May I take the liberty, Sir, to ask one thing more?" he asked Osman. "Was it done with your consent?"