When ten miles away, he halted in a grove for some hours, and then rode on to Poona.

Arrived within a mile of the town, he paid each of the men the amount promised, and told them to re-enter the town separately.

Then he secured a room for himself in a small khan, just outside the city and, sitting there alone, worked out the plan of obtaining an interview with Scindia.
He then told Abdool to go quietly to the Residency, and to bring out the Brahmin's dress he had before worn.

In the morning, Abdool went out to Scindia's camp with a letter which, when Scindia came out of his marquee, he handed to him.

There was nothing unusual in this, for petitions were frequently presented in this way to rulers in India.
As he did so, he said in a low voice, "It is private and important, Your Highness;" and instead of handing it to one of his officers, Scindia went back to his tent to read it.
It stated that the writer, Kawerseen, an unworthy member of the Kshittree Brahmins, prayed for a private interview with His Highness, on matters of the most urgent import.