The events of the night were more strange to Noren than any story ever told in the romances he had read. A few hours ago the young soldier had vainly endeavoured to penetrate the dark mystery which hung around him, but the curtain had now risen. He had been brought into that wonderful fort of Agra which the genius of Akbar had raised on the banks of the Jumna, and which was then the wonder of the world. He had been lodged in the Amber Guest House, in that outer portion of the fort where the great Emperor daily gave audience to his subjects. He had penetrated into the inner halls of the Queens and Begums. He had seen the renowned Jodh Bai, Queen of Akbar, and mother of the heir to the Empire. He had accompanied that Imperial heir on a secret visit to that Fair Persian whose fame had already spread over Hindustan. The plot had thickened, and Noren had been a silent witness to the dark treason and the failure of the Prince. And he now waited in breathless suspense, like the Sleeper Awakened in the Arabian Nights, to see what new scenes or perils the Fates reserved for him.

The Prince had retired, and Jelekha and her friend were commanded to enter. The august Persian Lady cast her keen glances through her ample veil on Noren, who was trembling in his woman's clothes. But he quickly recovered himself and stood erect; he folded his hands and bent his eyes to the ground awaiting commands.

"Take off those woman's clothes, young soldier,"