Page:The Spoilt Child.djvu/200

 so long as you walk in the straight path: by such a course you will keep body and mind alike in sound health.' And Khoda Buksh, because he does himself walk thus, is happy. Alas I why did I not listen to his words? How shall I find a release from this present calamity? Unless I can secure a pleader or a barrister, I shall never succeed in doing so. But if there is no evidence against me, I cannot possibly be punished. How will they find out where the forgery was committed, or who committed it?" He was still revolving all these thoughts in his mind when the day began to break, and then from sheer weariness he fell asleep. Soon however he began to dream about his many misfortunes, and to talk in his sleep. "Ah Bahulya! take care that no one gets a glimpse of the pencil, the pen and the other instruments: they are all in the tank in the house at Sialdah: they will be quite safe there: be very careful now not to take them out again, and get off yourself as soon as you can to Faridpore; I will meet you there, when I have been set free."

It was now morning, and the rays of the sun fell through the venetians full on Thakchacha's beard. The jemadar of the lock-up had been standing near Thakchacha, and had heard all he said. He now shouted: "Ho, you old rascal! what! have you been asleep all this time? Get up, you have revealed all your secrets yourself." Thakchacha got up in a great flurry, and rubbing his eyes, his nose, and his beard with his hand, commenced repeating his prayers: and again, he looked at the jemadar with eyes half-open, and then closed again. The jemadar frowned, and said: "You are a fine hypocrite, you are! sitting there with a whole sack of virtue! Well, well! your virtue will be fully manifest when we have taken the instruments out of the tank at Sialdah." At these words Thakchacha trembled all over like a plantain leaf, and said: "Ah, sir! I have a