Page:Stories of Bengalee life - Prabhat Kumar Mukerji.pdf/103

Rh After a few commonplace observations the Daroga said—"It has become difficult for me to keep my job, Doctor Babu."

"How so?" queried the Doctor, somewhat surprised.

"That Sahib-assault case of day before yesterday will bring me to grief I fear,"—responded the Sub-Inspector in a plaintive tone.

The Doctor with a smile faintly sarcastic, remarked—"But you have arrested a good many of the culprits, haven't you?"

"Yes, I have,"—replied the Daroga—"but I have failed to collect much evidence, so far."

"If there isn't any satisfactory evidence, what led you to arrest them?"—and the Doctor again indulged in a smile full of meaning.

"Oh, I have arrested the right persons, sure enough. Those fellows are great ruffians. Many a time have I seen the Magistrate-Sahib driving along and these lads, coming from the opposite direction, let the Magistrate-Sahib pass by without even salaaming him."

"Is it on that ground that you have arrested them?"

"Oh no, no,—not at all,"—replied the Daroga with vehemence.—"There is no doubt that they assaulted the Englishman. I have got witnesses too—but not what the Courts call credible witnesses."