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Srikanta 'Get in, please, and I will tell you,' said Piari.

'No, I can't; there is no time. I must reach my tent before daybreak.'

Piari put her head out and suddenly catching hold of my right hand said in a voice of earnest entreaty, 'Don't make a scene before the servants, I beg. Won't you get in?'

Somewhat taken aback by her unusual excitement, I climbed into the cart and sat down. Telling the driver to proceed, she asked, 'Why did you come here again to-night?'

With perfect sincerity I answered, 'I do not know.' Piari was still holding my hand. 'You don't know?' she said. 'Very well. But why did you come without telling any one?'

'It is true,' I said, 'nobody knows of my coming here, but I did not conceal it intentionally from any one.'

'I don't believe it.'

'It's the truth.'

'What do you mean, then?'

'Will you believe me if I tell you what I mean? I did not conceal anything from any one, nor did I wish to come here again.'

'Then,' said Piari derisively, 'perhaps you will say that you were spirited away through the empty air and found yourself here?'

'No,' I answered, 'no one spirited me away through the air. I came here on foot. But I can't say why I came and when.' Piari was silent.