But at the sight of his presumed enemy, he relaxed and had a smile for him too. He patted Dara and rubbed his hand on him, while he saw his caretaker Toga come running after him all out of breath.

"He jumped out of the ring and surprised me. Didn't know that he had sighted you in the distance," Toga explained in his breathless voice. Bandu nodded his head in understanding. Suddenly a thought came into his mind and he decided to put it to the test. 

"Toga, you have been here in the grounds for many years, are there any dungeons here?"

"Dungeons!" he exclaimed, but saw how serious Bandu sounded, "I think there is one, but never seen it,"

"What were the dungeons used for?" Bandu asked and saw a thoughtful expression on Toga's face.

"Never ever heard of it being used,"

"Are there hidden tunnels too? Like to move out secretly from the palace?"

"Yes there are..." he hesitated.

"Toga, tell me what you know, don't hesitate,"

"Princess Sumangaladevi escaped the palace through one, a long time ago," That piece of information made him feel a bit awkward.

"Since the prince and princess are taught about their heritage and estates in detail they know much more about the palace's secrets. I have never been inside the palace much," he clarified his comment and then began to lead the reluctant Dara back to the stables.

Bandu thought deeply about what Toga revealed and decided that his best bet was his mother who could answer his query. As it was time for breakfast, he returned to the palace entrance, where he knew he had to deal with many questions.

Breakfast was already set on the table when he was let in and anxious eyes flew to him.

"Maan, what is this I hear that Dr Mathur had been found murdered in your room?" the first question was fielded by his mother before he even greeted her. He went over to the table and downed a glass of water before opening his mouth to answer her.

"Maa...that's true..." and detailed to her what transpired during the night.

"Disappeared! You mean he was not in the room when you entered it?"

"Yes,"

"He must have escaped through the balcony,"

"No, that was bolted from the inside" he replied and saw her go into a trance of thoughts.

"Maa...do you know about any secret entrance to a tunnel from my room, which lead you out of the palace?" at that question there was a frown then her eyes widened and she exclaimed.

"Yes! Of course...Maan there is, but only in some rooms only. Even I don't remember all of them, but can identify them,"

"You do?! Then you must help the police in this case maa...or else I will be suspect in the murder,"

"Suspect?! Why should they suspect you?"

"For property, of course, they can create many excuses. Don't you know how they dragged me into the Bali murder case? At that time I was an ordinary tea vendor, but now I am Raja Saheb's nephew and heir,"

"I certainly understand that Maan, and will certainly clear you in this matter if possible. But how would a stranger know about this tunnel?"

"It must not be a stranger then," that was an unexpected statement he made that even surprised him like the others.

"It may be a possibility and you must suggest this to the police,"

During breakfast, an attendant announced that comm Seth wanted to meet him in the office downstairs.

"Maa...there was one other thing that I needed to tell you all. Nayantara is missing,"

Both mother and Sukhi shot up from their seat with plates and spoons rattling in their hands.

"But she was in the palace under heavy security," Mother screamed

"Poor cousin, I did not even get to meet her," Sukhi moaned as tears swam in her eyes.

"Calm down both of you, please sit down mother. The one here was an impersonater and the police discovered her absence this morning when they went to question her,"

"Then where is my real niece?"

"I...don't know exactly, mother. I am going to verify the facts with comm Seth and then accompany him to break this news to Raja Saheb,"

"It will devastate him...Maan, but will turn the world upside down in search for her,"

"That is very obvious...but what would happen when he knows that the reason she was kidnapped...was me?"

"You! Brother, what are you talking about?" How can you be the reason," Sukhi burst out.

"Yes, the truth hurts and the secret we are trying to hide will blow up on our very own faces now,"

"You are not making any sense, Maan,"

"I found an envelope beside Dr. Mathur which clearly stated that I should go to Ghatti if I wanted to get her back,"

Mother's face grew pale at the mention of Ghatti and as Bandu went on she looked on the brink of collapse.

"And this was not the first instance of threats, mother. There were many before this and now have built up for many days. I find myself cornered this time and see no escape but to face it. I must reveal to everyone my relation to Ghatti but for that, I need your permission, mother,"

"You never once mentioned to me about the threats you received,"

"I wanted to spare you unnecessary worries and decided to tackle the problem myself. At first ignored these threats thinking that if I didn't react to the threats it would pass on, but they got more and more lethal to get me to take notice,"

"That place will only bring pain and death,"

"Only we know it, mother, but the world will only believe it when they see and experience it themselves,"

"You leave me no choice, son. If it weren't for Nayantara, I would not have given you permission to go there. You go and get her if that's the condition,"

"Thank you maa and be assured that I will get her back with your blessings," Bandu said and touched his mother's feet and hugged her, before leaving the room to meet comm. Seth.

Mother laid aside the plate in her hands, her appetite long dead. Sukhi collected the plates and carried them to the table and gestured for the children to leave the room.

"Mother, does Maan really need to go to that place? Can't the police do it?"

"Didn't you hear him mention the envelope, he found near the dead body and the numerous warnings he had received before? He has to go because someone other than us knows about Ghatti and that person very well knows who can step there. I want to know who is behind this,"

"Mother I am frightened,"

"Don't be, since we are safe here. Take care of the children and especially keep an eye on Nand. This room too has a secret door, I will show you, and be sure to keep it locked at all times. Do not show the children as they might take it up to them for some adventure and would get lost underground,"

"I will do as you say, mother,"