Page:Folk Tales from Tibet (1906).djvu/162

128 who had run away from home many years before and had never been heard of again.

"Now," said he to Rin-dzin, "I have a plan to propose to you. Do you climb in through the window into the room where the old man's body lies awaiting burial, and conceal yourself somewhere. As soon as you are ready I will go to the young lady of the house and inform her that I am her brother, who has returned home after many years' wandering. She will probably disbelieve my story, and I will propose that we should consult the corpse of her father on the matter. When we come into the room where the corpse lies I will address it, and ask whether I am not the long-lost son, whereupon you must reply that I am. On this evidence I shall secure at least one-half of the property, which, of course, I shall share with you. But be careful on no account to leave the room before morning, otherwise you are sure to be detected by the dogs which roam about the house by night."

Rin-dzin agreed to this proposition, and climbed in by the window into the dead man's room, and, concealing himself near the corpse, he awaited the arrival of his friend. Meanwhile the Thief went boldly up to the front door and gave a loud knock; and being admitted by the servants, he went straight to the chamber of the young lady of the house.

"Who are you?" said she; "and what do you want?"

"Oh! sister," he replied, "I am your long-lost brother; do you not recognise me?"