and have evidently fallen into some trouble; but you must take care that your case is not lost for want of proper investigation. If you wish to have witnesses prepared, we can supply you with some on the spot: we have every facility for doing so at a trifling expense. The magistrate will be here directly, so seize this opportunity to do what is necessary." Barada Babu answered: "Gentlemen, you are extremely kind; but even should I have to wear fetters, I will wear them. I shall not be much troubled in mind at that: it will be a disgrace, I know,-- I am ready to acknowledge it as such; but I will not walk in the way of falsehood even to save my life." "Good heavens!" they exclaimed ironically, "here is a man belonging to the Golden Age. Surely King Yudhishthira come to life again!" and they went away laughing quietly to themselves.
It was now past two o'clock and still there was no sign of the magistrate: all were looking out for him as intently as crows on a sacred ghât. Some among them said to a Brahman astrologer who was present: "Pray sir, calculate for us whether the magistrate will come to-day or not." The astrologer at once replied: "Come, tell me the name of some flower." Somebody mentioned an hibiscus. The astrologer, calculating on his fingers, said, "No, the magistrate will not come to-day: he has business at home." Believing the charlatan's words implicitly, they all made preparations to tie up their bundles of records, and got up, saying to each other: "Ah, Ram, Ram! now we breathe freely again, let us go home and sleep."
Thakchacha had been sitting with four others within the court enclosure, with a bundle of papers under his arm and a cloth over his face: he was now walking about, his eyes blinking restlessly, his beard waving in the breeze and his head bent low. Just then Ramlall's gaze fell on him and
