Page:Stories of Bengalee life - Prabhat Kumar Mukerji.pdf/114

102 The Daroga was replying that not a cowri less than two hundred rupees would he accept, and if that sum was not forthcoming within the day, he would send him up to take his trial the next day. But the opportune arrival of the search warrant so pleased the Sub-Inspector that he immediately relinquished his just claims, accepted the hundred rupees, and submitted a final report in the following words:—

"On enquiry I find that the accused is innocent of the charge. The complainant's cow ran away from its pen and trespassing into the cowshed of the accused, began unlawfully to eat the fodder which was stored there. The accused therefore tied the cow up by way of punishing it. Mistake of facts."

Having thus dismissed the cattle-lifter, Daroga Badan Babu read the search warrant through very carefully. He then hurriedly put on his uniform, and getting together a force of ten or twelve constables, marched heroically to the Doctor's house.

Arriving there, he called two of the Doctor's neighbours to witness the search, as required by law. Standing at the front door, he began to shout vociferously, demanding admission.

Babu Hara Govind came out, looking very much surprised. The Daroga showed him the