Page:Stories of Bengalee life - Prabhat Kumar Mukerji.pdf/61

Rh The tea-planter, arriving at the gate, sent in his card to the District Magistrate, and immediately was asked to walk in. He entered, hat in hand, murmuring that he was very sorry to intrude, and then related the whole of the affair as he had heard from his servant.

The Magistrate's face became livid with rage. Addressing the Superintendent of Police, he said—"I say, this is serious. This must be seen to at once."

The Police Sahib jumped to his feet, saying—"Yes, I will myself go and see to it." Making over his cards to the Civil Surgeon, he left the club with the tea-planter. On the way he ordered his Chuprassi to summon the Kotwali Daroga to the Dak Bungalow, at once.

Arriving at the Dak Bungalow, the tea-planter said—"While we wait for your Daroga, may I offer you a peg?"

"Thanks, I don't mind"—said the D. S. P.

The bottle, glasses and soda-water appeared on the table. Havanna cigars were produced also.

"'Tis really very good of you to take so much trouble"—said the tea-planter.

The D. S. P. remarked—"This Bande Mataram nuisance is getting intolerable day by day. The scoundrels of the National School must have done it."