Page:The Slave Girl of Agra.djvu/241

 Such rumours have reached me, Gokul Das, are they true?"

"Perfectly true, my young Master," replied Gokul Das with unshaken impudence, his quick mind seeing at a glance that prevarication was futile.

"Have my men acted then without the knowledge of the old and faithful minister of Debipur House, who sees everything, does everything, arranges everything?"

"Our men have acted under my orders," was the dogged and determined reply.

Another pause ensued. Master and servant felt that the time had come for a little plain speaking.

"Trim those lamps, Gokul Das, for they are burning low. We may have to sit here a little longer yet before we have done."

Gokul Das did as he was told.

"I understand then that we have endeavoured, and successfully too, to prevent collections at Birnagar."

"We have."

"With what object, Gokul Das."

"With the object that the estate should be sold for arrears."

"What if the Kanangoe of the Province decides otherwise?"

"The Kanangoe has decided to sell."

"How does it come to thy knowledge, Gokul Das."

"From the Kanangoe's private letter to me, which I should have shown my young Master before. But recent sad events prevented all business."

Gokul Das slowly unfolded a letter, which had been preserved with great care, and laid it before Sirish.