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132 dangerous lot—these strumpets of Benares. She has made a big haul with her thirty-rupee bait."

At last Maloti lifted her eyes and protested—

"I can't believe she has done it. I shouldn't be surprised if I left it behind at the Dinapur house myself"—said she with firmness.

But Girindra would not listen to it. "You little know the ways of the world, my dear"—said Girindra loftily and then walked off to send a telegram to the Police.

 

A fortnight passed. During this interval the young couple have very nearly got over their grief for having lost the jewels. They laughed and joked and enjoyed themselves just as they had done in days gone by. Girindra Nath's new appointment proved to be a very lucrative one and that no doubt helped to console them not a little.

On receipt of the telegram, the Head Constable of Dildarnagar came that very day and recorded Girindra's statement together with a descriptive list of the missing jewels. Nothing has been heard from the Police since.

It was half past eleven. Girindra Nath was away in his office. Maloti was sitting over her midday meal when the train from Dildarnagar arrived. Each time the train came in, Maloti