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76 "That you may murder your wife in quiet?" said the intrepid stranger with a sarcastic laugh.

"And who will prevent me from doing it if I choose?" exclaimed the furious husband, and dagger in hand rushed to plunge it in the audacious visitor's breast. But quick as lightning the latter parried the blow, and then with one stroke of his own gleaming sabre he made that tiny weapon in Rajmohan's hand fly off to a distance of several feet. Losing not a moment, he seized Rajmohan's arms in an iron grasp. "Now Bhiku," said he to his hitherto silent companion, "will you hold the lamp and let this fellow see my face. It is a moon face, Raju, and will please you as much as your golden moon of a wife there." Bhiku brought the lamp and as bid held it close to his face.

"Sardar!" exclaimed Rajmohan in amazement, as he recognized his fellow-plotter of the night.

"Yes, sardar," replied the other, "I see you recognized me; friends never forget each other so soon."

"What brings you here?" said he in the same angry tone as before; "what do you want by breaking into my house?"

"First tell me," replied the other, "what were you going to murder your wife for."

"That concerns you not," returned Rajmohan, "leave me alone, or sardar or no sardar I will kick you out of the house."

"Ah! Let me see your kick, prisoner as you are," said the other sneeringly.