She was wrecked on the west coast, and he was seized and brought up here a prisoner, eight years ago.

My mother, who is a daughter of the late Rajah of Tripataly, who married an English lady, taught me to speak Hindustani, so that when I got old enough I could come out here and try to find out if my father was still alive, and if so, to help him to escape.

I had only just come up here, with my friend, who is an officer of the Rajah's, when that affair with the tiger took place.

Then, as you know, Tippoo made us both officers in the Palace.

Of course, while we are here we can do nothing towards finding out about my father, and we should not have remained here much longer anyway, and may have to leave at any moment.