Nagendra came with a palanquin for her; but Surja Mukhi was no longer there.

He searched all about, but found no trace.
Surja Mukhi had wandered thence into a wood.

There she met an old woman who had come to gather sticks.

She had heard of a reward being offered for finding Surja Mukhi, therefore on seeing her she asked-- "Are you not our mistress ?" "No, mother," replied Surja Mukhi.
"Yes, you must be our mistress." "Who is your mistress ?" "The lady of the Babu's house." "Am I wearing any gold ornaments that I should be the lady of the Babu's house ?" The old woman thought, "That is true," and went further into the wood gathering sticks.
Thus the day passed vainly; the night brought no more success.

The two following days brought no tidings, though nothing was neglected in the search.