Page:Stories of Bengalee life - Prabhat Kumar Mukerji.pdf/73

Rh the Swadeshi shop. In cross-examination he was asked whether or not school-boys for some time past had been picketing in front of his shop and thereby caused him much loss and annoyance. The man admitted the picketing and the consequent loss but denied that it had caused him the slightest annoyance.

The Assistant Surgeon deposed that the injury on the forehead was an incised wound, probably caused by some sharp and hard substance. In cross-examination by the defence he said that it could not have been caused by slaps and fisticuffs.

The case was then adjourned for defence evidence. On the appointed day the man who kept the Swadeshi Stores came and swore to everything that had actually happened. He also said that none of the boys in the dock were among those who came to his shop to buy the deshi tin.

A doctor in private practice said that he was passing along the street when he found some boys talking to the Khansama. He also swore to the fact that the latter had given up the tin to the boys quite voluntarily and expressed his willingness to take a tin of deshi biscuits in exchange. He also saw the Khansama accompanying the the boys to the Swadeshi Stores. In cross-examination by the Police he admitted that he