Page:History of Bengali Language and Literature.djvu/687

 VI.] BENGALI LANGUAGE & LITERATURE. 647 made by some black spirit. Whatever it might be, they were unanimous in their opinion that in all probability that was the passage used by the thief. They all sat round the hole and contemplated the best method of carrying ona sifting investigation as to where it could lead. They thought of exca- vating the whole ground covered by it, but that course would require such an extensive operation through the hard ground-floor of the palace that seven days might not suffice for finishing the work. Kalaketu, a police officer, said :—‘ Brethren, let us wait here in the disguise of maids; the thief may come of himself to visit the princess.” This idea was accepted by all. They brought various dresses and ornaments from the Raja’s theatrical stock. One of them who had a charming face put on the dress similar to that of Vidya and twelve officers disguised themselves as twelve maids decorating themselves with great skill in- order to practise the deception successfully. Thirteen men belonging to the police staff had thus stationed themselves in the apartments of Vidya. Sona Rayaand Rup Raya, the chief officers, sat at the main gates leading to the palace. There were 28 minor gates and as many police Inspectors guarded them with a vigilant watch. One of the old women belonging to the family of a police Inspector, who used to wear a red coloured sad: and a garland of java flowers round her neck, visited every house on some pretext or other, and employed her maidens on a similar mission, making enquiries of the women-folk of the town to get a clue to trace the thief. A thorough search was made of the incoming and outgoing boats and all