Page:Malabari, Behramji M. - Gujarat and the Gujaratis (1882).djvu/204

188 Honour," vociferated that obliging official. Then the complainant was asked to say what he had done for the defendant to earn Rs. 200. Hereupon, the man who had just a minute ago solemnly pledged himself to truth,gave utterance to a number of lies appalling in their magnitude. I and my friends were astounded. Complainant deposed to having witnesses to corroborate the statement that he had done enough to earn Rs. 200 on sale of the books worth Rs. 600.

His Vakeel looked triumphant, mine was quite crestfallen. I was shivering as if with the ague, and a young friend actually burst into violent gesticulations at the man perjuring himself with such malignity of purpose. The Judge then asked for a few particulars. Among these the complainant, unfortunately for himself, stated that he had procured for the ungrateful defendant a loan of Rs. 100, at 36 per cent, per annum.

"Is this to be one of the services entitled to a honorarium of Rs. 200, Mr. ————?" asked the Judge, turning with benevolent surprise upon the plaintiff's pleader.

The game was lost. Client and counsel looked extremely foolish. Every remark they hazarded after this miscarried. Witnesses for the plaintiff