Page:Rajmohan's Wife.djvu/140

134 to search the open ground in front, which was enclosed by the walls already mentioned. But there also the search proved equally fruitless, and he returned vexed and doubtful. Bhiku was now really frightened and, in his anxiety to get rid of the place, gave a hard and significant pinch under the elbow of his chief to hasten negotiations. The sardar complied.

"It is getting late," he said, addressing Madhav, "and this is no place for us to sleep in. If you will comply with our conditions you can regain your liberty."

"What are they?" inquired Madhav with indifference, for he saw his advantage.

"Deliver up to us your uncle's will.”

"It is not with me here," said he laconically, and turned round to resume his walk.

"Remain here then," said the sardar with equal brevity; "we go with the keys."

"And suppose I am inclined to give up the paper, how am I to get at it from here?"

The bandit in his turn perceived his advantage, and replied, "That is your own concern. Devise the best means in your power. If I were you I would think of sending a note by one of my captors to a friend at home, asking him to send me the paper by the bearer."

"And if my friend asks you where is the writer of the note, what answer will you give?"

Again the same unearthly sound burst upon their ears. This time it was a low stifled shriek, such as no human being could utter. Again the sound seemed to proceed from the ceiling.