Page:The Slave Girl of Agra.djvu/240

 "And Noren, the friend of my boyhood, will be a wanderer on earth?"

"Norendra Nath serves Raja Man Singh, who has pardoned his crime and can reward his services."

Sirish remained silent for a few moments. Gokul Das was insufferably plausible, but Sirish had not sought this interview to be put off.

"Thou speakest in riddles, Gokul Das; I expected to find in thee a friend."

"I am ever your faithful servant, kind Master."

"Speak then like a friend, Gokul Das, and tell me why Birnagar is still in arrears. The harvests have been as good as at Debipur, and the tillers of the soil have ever been loyal and peaceful. Dost thou know why our treasure vaults are full and those of Birnagar empty?"

"Raja Man Singh did not entrust Birnagar to my management, young Master. The Imperial Agent might give you information."

"Dost thou know," asked Sirish again, in a quiet but determined tone which Gokul Das understood, "why rents have not been collected at Birnagar?"

"The tillers have turned against the Agent; the tenants have combined and created disturbances."

"Hast thou heard anything about men from my estate moving about in Birnagar, misleading the tenants, and teaching them to combine and withhold payment?"

"I have heard of it," coolly replied Gokul Das.

"Have my men secretly proclaimed in Birnagar that the estate would soon pass to me, and that payments need not be made to the Imperial Agent?