Page:Stories of Bengalee life - Prabhat Kumar Mukerji.pdf/143

Rh and I had no occasion to disturb the rest of the contents."

"After that where did you put the key?"

"It was fastened to my belt."

"And you went to sleep after that?"

"I did"—said Maloti, looking blankly at her husband's face.

"It is quite clear to me now"—said Girindra after a moment's pause. "The Benares woman must have stolen it."

Maloti did not protest.

"When you were fast asleep"—Girindra continued—"she must have softly loosened the key from your belt, opened the box and extracted the jewel-case. Do you know her name?"

"No, I don't. How could I with propriety enquire the name of a lady old enough to be my mother?"

"Where does she live at Benares?"

"In some muth or other."

"Some muth or other! Well, there are about a couple of hundred there. Have you any idea as to its locality?"

"No, I haven't."

"Didn't I warn you"—said Girindra somewhat hotly—"Didn't I warn you at the very outset, not to trust these people? They are a