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Rh boys to jail, in order to please the Sahibs. A great weight is now removed from my mind."

The Deputy smiled inwardly at his wife's ingenuous confidence in his own judicial independence. He observed languidly—"Yes, but supposing the case is proved, I should not acquit the boys unjustly. Should I?"

"Oh, certainly not"—was Charusila's firm reply.—"I wouldn't have you do so even if they were my own children. But, from what I have heard, I am persuaded that they are quite innocent."

"Where have you heard it?"

"The other day when I was at the Munsiff Babu's house on the occasion of the Bowbhat ceremony of his daughter-in-law, many ladies there said that the boys had not as a matter of fact snatched away the tin of biscuits from the Khansama; that they had taken it from him with his free consent after having given him the full value of it, neither had they assaulted the man. Besides, the three boys who have actually been sent up were neither there nor were they in any way connected with the affair."

The Deputy Babu heaved a sigh and said—"Yes,—but the question is whether they would be able to prove it."