विक्रम चरित (उज्जैन सम्राट् विक्रमादित्य - पराक्रम, न्याय एवं ३२ पुतलियों की कथा सटीक)

144 he had not taken the necessary precautions to prevent their carrying it out. The minister said that he knew nothing of it till the moment of his majesty's sending a messenger for the prince. The king then asked whether his orders regarding his son had been communicated to the youth. 'May it please your majesty,' said the minister, 'I distinctly informed my son of the instructions I had received from your majesty, and told him in addition that if he disregarded the matter, not only would he himself be a sufferer, but likewise I, his father. My son promised to obey me; but upon enquiry, I understand that yesterday morning the Prince Sewdass sent a messenger to request my son to wait upon him, but he returned a direct refusal, whereupon a second messenger came with a like message, and succeeded no better than the first. The prince, however, being bent upon having an interview, came in person the third time, and burst into my son's apartment. They then conversed for some time, were afterwards seen to retire to a secluded place, and have not since been seen or heard of. It is to be presumed that as your majesty was pleased to lay them under some restraint regarding their frequent meetings and growing intimacy, they have evaded your majesty's control, in order that they may give free scope to their inclinations. Such being the case, I would take the liberty of suggesting to your majesty the propriety of setting some portion of the troops in motion. Let them be sent out to the several neighbouring provinces, with instructions to scour the coun- try far and wide.' The king immediately acted on the minister's suggestion, and despatched numerous horsemen in all directions. The greatest exertions were made by them, but all without avail : they were fain to return, after a fruitless search. The king was grieved to learn that no trace of them could be found; and the minister and his family were also thrown into deep distress. His majesty again summoned his minister, and had another consultation with him, but neither of them could suggest a plan likely to result in the capture of the runaways. They became now