He spent half an hour here, examining carefully the features of the ground and the defences of the fort.

The place, though strong, did not approach, in this respect, many of the hill forts that he had seen in the Deccan; and he concluded that a British force of moderate strength could easily effect its capture though, if stoutly held, it could defy native attack.
He then returned to the room below.

Half an hour later, some armed natives entered.

One of them carried a large bundle of straw, which he threw down in one corner; another bore a dish of rice, and a third a skin of water.

They had evidently been told not to address him for, as soon as they had placed their burdens on the ground, they retired without any remark.
"This is bad," Harry said to himself, when they had left.