Perhaps unwisely they had proclaimed his death.
Durga Ram had discovered what they had done and had held it over their heads like a sword blade.

That the king was not in his dungeon, why and wherefor, was beyond their knowledge.

They were in the power of Ramabai; let him work his will upon them.

They had told the truth.
And Ramabai, much as he detested them, believed them.

But for the present it was required that they remain incarcerated till the king was found, dead or alive.
In the palace soldiers and servants alike had already forgot Umballa.
To them it was as if he had not existed.