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 And you, Abul Fazel, ever my wisest counsellor and friend, must render me your help in this matter."

"Let your Majesty speak and your faithful servant will obey."

"Prince Selim came to Agra during my absence in the South, but was not admitted into the fort. From Agra, he proceeded to Allahabad, and appropriated the revenues of Behar to make his preparations. He then secretly visited this palace, ostensibly to see his mother, and my guards had orders to let him come and go. Perhaps he had a darker object, for he posted his horsemen near the river and brought armed eunuchs into the fort. I care not to pry too minutely into his designs, for no harm was done, and this morning I honoured him in open Darbar before he left Agra. To Allahabad he has gone; I wish you, Abul Fazel, to follow him there with an adequate force, and to point out to him the path of duty and of love. Go, Abul Fazel, not as a commander of my forces to punish a rebel, but as a messenger from a loving father to an erring son."

"To hear is to obey, my Royal Master."

"You, Abul Fazel, have powers of persuasion and argument," resumed Akbar, "such as are given to few among the sons of men. Go and persuade Prince Selim into the path of duty; watch him and guide him as the worthy Khan-Khanan will guide my other son in the Deccan."

The last words were said almost inaudibly. Abul Fazel bowed low to signify his obedience to the royal command. He never returned from that mission. History records that the base Prince Selim had Abul Fazel murdered by hired assassins.

The conversation then turned on Bengal, and