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 "Prince," replied Osman with composure, "why are you so impatient for evil? Evil requires no courting;—it comes of itself."

"The Rajputs," replied the Prince haughtily, "consider it no evil to exchange this flowery bed of yours for one of stone."

"It would not matter much" said Osman "if Misfortune had no greater terrors than the stone-bed."

The Prince eyed Osman keenly and said,

"When I have failed to chastise Katlu Khan, to me the executioner's axe is no evil."

"Take care, Sir," said Osman. "The Pathans are no babblers."

"General!" said the Prince with a scornful laugh, "if you have come to cow me, you will not succeed."

"No, Sir," replied Osman; "we know each other too well to waste words. I have come to you on some particular business.'

"Let me hear it, Sir,"—said the Prince, rather surprised.

"The proposal which I make,—is made under the express orders of Katlu Khan. Please to bear this in mind."

Prince. "Very well."

Os. "The strife between the Rajputs and the Pathans is injuring both parties."

Prince. "Our object is to make root and branch work of the Pathans."

"True" replied Osman; "but Sir, consider the chance of destroying us without at the same time undergoing destruction yourselves. You, for one, can testify whether the captors of Garmandaran are so utterly weak."

A slight smile appeared on the lips of Jagat Singha.