to Tárak Ghose & Co. He wrung his hands in great distress and
sat bewildered, until Rámtonu came to summon him to the manager's
tribunal. In the corridor Rámtonu glanced round, to make sure that
no one was within hearing, and said, "Don't be afraid, Babuji. You
did me a good turn, and I may be able to help you now."

This Rámtonu was an office menial hailing from the district of Gáya,
in Behar. He was an intelligent man, but rather unlicked, and was
the butt of the younger clerks, who delighted in mocking his uncouth
up-country dialect. Pulin, however, had never joined in "ragging"
him, and, on one occasion, he lent Rámtonu Rs. 7 for his wife, who
was about to increase the population of Gáya. Gratitude for kindness
is a marked trait in the Indian character, and Pulin bethought him
of the old fable of the Lion and Mouse. He asked: "Why, what do you
know about lekha-para (reading and writing)?"

"Never mind," rejoined Rámtonu. "We must not loiter, for we should
be suspected of plotting together. Come to the Saheb's room. I shall
be admitted, for he knows that I don't understand English. All I ask
is that you will clasp your hands as a signal when I may come forward
and tell my story,"

A European police officer was seated by Mr. Henderson's side, engaged
in writing from his dictation. They looked up, and the manager asked
whether Pulin had found any record of the payment in dispute.

On receiving a negative answer, he said: "Then I shall be obliged to
hand you over to the police".

Pulin clasped his hands in a mute appeal for mercy, whereon Rámtonu