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40 extinguished the lamp, and went round the whole house, tapping at each door and calling in a gentle voice to the slumberers, but finding none awake, rejoined his companion.

As the footsteps of her husband died away, Matangini left her bed and stealing with the same soft tread to the window overheard the following conversation.

After learning from Rajmohan that all was safe, his unknown companion began.

"Are you willing to assist us in this affair?"

"Not much I confess," said Rajmohan. "Not that I pretend to be honest so late, but though I don't like the man, he has done me some good."

"Why then do you not like him?" ashed the shrewd stranger.

"Because if he has done me some good he has done me harm too, and perhaps more harm than good," replied Rajmohan.

"Well, if so, why not assist us?"

"I will, if you give me what I demand. I am anxious to remove from his cursed neighbourhood, but I don't see how I can get food elsewhere without coming to trouble. I wish much therefore to get a sum that will make me care little where I go. If your affair will bring me such an amount of money, I will assist you."

"Name your condition," said the stranger.

"First let me know what I am required to do," responded the other.

"You will do what you have done for us sometimes before this—help us to conceal the property. This time we mean to leave every-