Numerous consultations had taken place ever since the previous September between the murderer and his accomplices as to the manner and time of the deed.

It was repeatedly postponed because the accomplices who belonged to Nasik were afraid of rendering active assistance which might compromise them, though they were ready enough to arm the hand of the wretched youth from Aurungabad who had volunteered to strike the blow.

Ready as he was to kill any Englishman, he himself had some misgivings as to the expediency of selecting a victim whose personal qualities were so universally recognized, and these misgivings were only allayed by the assurance that all that was mere hypocrisy on poor Jackson's part.

It was the news of Jackson's approaching departure for Bombay that finally precipitated the catastrophe.

The murderer practised carefully with the pistol given to him and other precautions were taken so that, even if the first attempt was foiled, Jackson should not escape alive from the theatre--the native theatre which he had been asked to honour with his attendance.