The Winds of the World by Talbot Mundy
page 50 of 231 (21%)
page 50 of 231 (21%)
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"I do not remember," he said slowly but with great conviction,
scratching at his stomach as if he kept his recollections stored there. "You said twenty-five rupees, eight annas? Well, I will pay the half of it, and no more," said Ranjoor Singh in a new voice that seemed to suggest unutterable things. "Moreover, I will pay it when I have proved thy memory true. Now, scratch that belly of thine and let the thoughts come forth!" "Nay, sahib, I forget." Ranjoor Singh drew out his purse and counted twelve rupees and three quarters into the palm of his hand. "Which way?" he demanded. "Twenty-five rupees, eight annas of earned emolument--gone while I watched the movements of a murderer! It is not easy to keep brave heart and remember things!" "See here, thou bellyful of memories! Remember and tell me, or I return this money to my purse and march thee by the nape of thy fat neck to the police station, where they will put thee in a cell for the night and jog thy memory in ways the police are said to understand! Speak! Here, take the money!" The babu reached out a fat hand and the silver changed owners. "There!" said the babu, jerking a thumb over his right shoulder. "Through that door!" |
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