DARBAR HALL
fort. A spacious road led to the interior of the citadel, and Moslem Mansabdars of high rank and dignity mounted guard here by turns. Long arcades lined the road, and the finest artisans of Agra assembled here and prepared articles suitable for the inmates of the palace. Embroiderers in gold and silver, goldsmiths and silversmiths, painters and workers in lacquer-work, weavers of silk and brocade and of those fine muslins which were the joy of the Begums, joiners and tailors and men skilled in the finest needlework, all plied their trade here from morning to evening. Professions in India are hereditary; each skilled artisan brought up his son in his own trade and married his daughter within his own guild, and this unwritten law was often followed by Moslem workmen as well as by Hindus. Rajas and Omras and all the Grandees of the Empire obtained their costliest articles from these rich workshops within the fort.
Passing along the road Noren saw many lofty buildings on both sides, and could scarcely help casting a glance at the Amber Guest House.
"Ay," said Gajapati, smiling, "you may well look at that hospitable home where you found shelter and kindly attendance in your illness. But for the skill of royal physicians Birnagar would have lost its chief and Gajapati a faithful friend."
But Noren was not thinking of the royal physicians when he looked at the casement of the stately Guest Hall glittering in the morning sun. Some stirring recollections came back to him, some anxiety still preyed on his mind. Ever and anon he looked furtively at the latticed window as if for some sign—a waving scarf or a white sinuous arm raised behind
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