The _Dewan_ might cajole or threaten, but
there was not one ruffian in the bazaar who did not prefer to risk his
anger to the certainty of the hideous fate awaiting the rash mortal that
crossed the path of this dread being who fed his magic elephants on the
living flesh of his foes.
The _Dewan_ was not baffled. If the local villains failed him an assassin
must be imported from elsewhere. So the extremist leaders in Calcutta,
being appealed to, sent more than one fanatical young Brahmin from that
city to Lalpuri, where they were put in the way to remove Dermot. But when
in bazaar or Palace his reputation reached their ears they drew back. One
was sent direct from Calcutta to the Terai, so that he would not be scared
by the foolish tales of the men of Lalpuri. But his first enquiries among
the countryfolk as to where to find Dermot brought him such illuminating
information that, not daring to return unsuccessful to those who had sent
him, he turned against his own breast the weapon that he had meant for the
British officer.
Then the _Dewan_ sent for Chunerbutty and took counsel with him, as being
more conversant with European ways. And the result was a cunning and
elaborate plot, such as from its very tortuousness and complexity would
appeal to the heart of an Oriental.
The Rajah of Lalpuri, being of Mahratta descent, tried to copy in many
things the great Mahratta chiefs in other parts of India, such as the
Gaekwar of Baroda and the Maharajah Holkar of Indore.
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