At this moment, four men were sitting in the police-station office before a large table. One was the inspector-in-charge, a fair, refined-looking man whose large eyes showed a hint of gentleness. Beside him sat the deputy inspector-in-charge. He was a Sikh, extremely cheerful and full of vitality, wheat-colored, with a well-shaped, sturdy body. He wore his hair long and had steel bracelets on his wrists, yet he had no objection to smoking cigars.
On the other side of the table sat the Inspector and the Deputy Superintendent. The Inspector was a middle-aged, dark-complexioned, tall man with bead-like eyes, protruding cheeks, and a short, stocky build. The Deputy Superintendent was a tall, slender young man, very thoughtful and sparing of words. His long nose and high forehead testified to his aristocratic bearing.
The Deputy took a puff of his cigar and said, “We cannot proceed on the strength of outside witnesses. One of these men will have to become an approver. There is no alternative.”
Looking at the Inspector-in-charge, the Inspector said, “I swear we have left no stone unturned. We have exhausted every kind of temptation. They have formed such a tight group that no one will break ranks. We even tried the outside witnesses, but they all cover their ears and refuse to hear us.”
The Deputy said, “We will have to try that Marwari again. Call his father and threaten him severely. Perhaps that will put some pressure on him.”
The Inspector said, “I swear, that is exactly what we have been doing since this morning. The poor father fell at his son’s feet, but the boy will not agree to anything.”
For some time the four men sat absorbed in thought.
At last the Deputy said despairingly, “The case cannot be brought. We have suffered disgrace for nothing. Inspector, get another week’s time. Perhaps someone will break.”
Having made this decision, the two men left. The junior inspector-in-charge also went away with them.
The officer had a hookah brought to him when a Muslim constable came and said, “Inspector Sahib, arrange some reward for me. We have arrested an accused man on suspicion. He is from Allahabad, named Ramanath. He first gave both a false name and a false address. He is staying at the house of Devi Din the Khatik, who lives on the corner. Give him a little fright and he will spill everything.”
The Inspector said, “He is the one whose two boys—”
The constable said, “Yes, the same one.”
By then Ramanath was also brought before the Inspector.
The Inspector looked him over from head to foot, as though mentally comparing him with the description he had. Then, looking at him sternly, he said, “So, this is Ramanath of Allahabad. Very good, brother. You have kept us troubled for six months. What a clear description you have! Even a blind man could recognize you. How long have you been here?”
The constable advised Rama, “Tell us the whole truth and you will not be treated harshly.”
Rama tried to appear cheerful and said, “I am in your hands now. You may show mercy or be strict. I was employed by the Allahabad Municipality. Call it recklessness or misfortune, but four hundred rupees of the municipal tax money were spent by me. I could not deposit the money in time. Out of shame I said nothing to my family, otherwise arranging such a sum would not have been difficult. When I found there was no other way, I fled from there and came here. There is not a single word of falsehood in this.”
The Inspector said seriously, “It is a somewhat serious matter. Had you acquired a taste for drinking?”
“Swear me to it if you like: I have never touched alcohol.”
The constable joked, “Perhaps you were ruined in the marketplace of love, sir.”
Rama smiled and said, “Where would a penniless fellow like me get into that market?”
The Inspector said, “Then did you gamble? Or have jewelry made for your wife?”
Rama became embarrassed and said nothing. A guilty smile betrayed itself on his face.
The Inspector said, “All right. You will find plenty of thick jewelry here too!”
Suddenly the old Devi Din came and stood there.
The Inspector said sternly, “What business have you here?”
Devi Din said, “I came to pay my respects to the sahib. Please look kindly upon this poor fellow, sir. He is a very simple man.”
The Inspector said, “You hide a government accused in your house and then come here to recommend him!”
Devi Din said, “What recommendation could I make, sir? I am a man worth two pennies.”
The Inspector said, “Do you know there is a warrant against him? He has embezzled government money.”
Devi Din said, “Sir, people make mistakes. He is young. The money must have been spent.”
As he said this, Devi Din took five gold mohurs from his waist and placed them on the table.
The Inspector sprang up and said, “What is this?”
Devi Din said, “Nothing, sir. For you to buy paan.”
The Inspector said, “You want to bribe me! Why? Shall I send you away on that charge?”
Devi Din said, “Send me, sir. My wife will be relieved of the worry about wood and a shroud. I will sit there and bless you.”
The Inspector said, “If you want him released, bring fifty gold mohurs and put them before me. Do you know there is a five-hundred-rupee reward for his arrest?”
Devi Din said, “What is such a reward to people like you, sir? He is a poor man from another place. As long as he lives, he will remember you.”
The Inspector said, “Stop your chatter. I did not come here to earn religious merit.”
Devi Din said, “I am very hard-pressed, sir. The shop barely exists in name.”
The constable said, “Go ask the old woman.”
Devi Din said, “I am the only earning member, sir. You know what the boys are like. I had saved some money by cutting into my own flesh and belly, and now I have spent all seven of the holy places’ worth of it. I am in great difficulty.”
The Inspector said, “Then pick up your gold mohurs. Put him in custody.”
Devi Din said, “If that is your order, I will go. Why have me thrown out?”
The Inspector said, “Constable, keep him in custody. Tell the clerk to record his statement.”
Devi Din’s lips were trembling with emotion. Rama had never seen such anguish on his face. It was like a bird distraught at seeing a crow enter its nest.
He stood at the station door for a minute, then stumbled backward and said something to a constable. Then he hurried onto the road, but returned in the very next moment and said to the Inspector, “Sir, could you give me two hours?”
Rama was still standing there. Seeing this affection, he burst into tears.
He said, “Dada, don’t distress yourself anymore. Let whatever is written in my fate happen. If I had been in your place, what more could I have done? I will remain grateful to you until my dying breath—”
Wiping his eyes, Devi Din said, “What are you saying, brother! When it comes to money, Devi Din is not a man who backs away. I have won and lost this much money in gambling in a single day. Even if I sell my house today, it is worth ten thousand. What am I going to carry it on my head for? Inspector Sahib, do not send brother into custody yet. I will arrange the money and return shortly.”
Devi Din left.
The Inspector said in a voice full of sympathy, “He is a tough old fellow, but a very good man. What charm did you use on him?”
Rama said, “Everyone feels pity for the poor.”
The Inspector smiled and said, “Except the police. Say that much more.”
Then he added, “I do not believe he will bring fifty gold mohurs.”
Ramanath said, “Even if he does, I do not want to make him pay such a great penalty. You may take me into custody without hesitation.”
The Inspector said, “I am getting six hundred and fifty in place of five hundred. Why should I let you go? If the reward for your arrest goes to some other brother of mine, what harm is there?”
Ramanath said, “If I must grind at the mill, the sooner I begin, the better. I thought I could remain hidden from the eyes of the police. Now I know that this restlessness, this fear of being caught every hour of the day and night, is no less deadly than prison.”
Suddenly it seemed as though the Inspector remembered something he had forgotten. He took a file from the drawer of the table and turned its pages back and forth. Then he said politely, “What if I suggest a way by which Devi Din’s money can be saved and you can also escape harm?”
Rama said distrustfully, “I do not think there can be such a way.”
The Inspector said, “There are a hundred ways of handling a situation. I can arrange it. You would merely have to give evidence in a case.”
Ramanath said, “It would be false evidence.”
“No, absolutely true. Understand that it will make a man of you. You will escape the Municipality’s clutches, and perhaps the government will even look after you. If you are prosecuted in the ordinary way, you will receive no less than five years. Suppose Devi Din manages to save you this time; how long can the mother of the goat remain safe? Your life will be ruined. Consider the advantages and disadvantages yourself. I am not forcing you.”
The Inspector told him the details of the dacoity case. Rama had read about several such cases in the newspapers.
He said doubtfully, “Then I will have to become an informer and say that I too participated in these robberies. That would be false evidence.”
The Inspector said, “The case itself is completely genuine. You will not implicate innocent people. Only those who deserve to go to prison will go. Where is the falsehood then? Out of fear of the dacoits, the people here refuse to give evidence.
“I admit that you will have to tell a few lies, but in comparison with the fact that your life is being saved, what does such a little lie matter? Think it over carefully. Give me your answer by evening.”
The idea took hold in Rama’s mind. If by telling a lie once he could atone for his past deeds and also improve his future, what more could one ask? He would escape prison. There was hardly any need for further hesitation.
Yes, it had to be settled that the Municipality would not prosecute him afterward and that he would be given a good position. He knew that the police had an interest in the matter and would not reject any reasonable condition he imposed.
He spoke as though his soul were caught between righteousness and wrongdoing: “My only fear is that innocent people may be trapped because of my testimony.”
The Inspector assured him, “I give you my word that will not happen.”
Ramanath said, “But what if the Municipality comes after me tomorrow? Whom will I appeal to then?”
The Inspector said, “How could the Municipality dare? In a criminal case, the government itself is the complainant. Once the government pardons you, how can it prosecute you? You will be given a written pardon, sir.”
Ramanath asked, “And a job?”
The Inspector said, “The government itself will arrange that for you. The government wants to keep such men as its friends. If your testimony is good and you get through the web of cross-examination, you will become a man of great consequence!”
The Inspector immediately ordered a motorcar and set out with Rama to meet the Deputy. Why delay in displaying such a great piece of work?
In private, he boasted to the Deputy: “I tracked this man down like this. The moment I saw his face, I knew he was proud and self-assured. All I had to do was arrest him! It turned out to be exactly as I thought. Can the eye ever fail? Sir, I can recognize a criminal’s eyes. He embezzled the Allahabad Municipality’s money and fled. He is ready to give evidence in this case. He is educated, respectable-looking, and intelligent.”
The Deputy said doubtfully, “Yes, he certainly seems to be a clever man.”
“But he will not trust us without a pardon. If he suspects that we are playing some trick on him, he will simply walk away.”
The Deputy said, “That is understandable. We will have to discuss him with the government. Call the Allahabad police and ask what case there is against this man. All this will have to be reported to the government.”
The Inspector looked in the telephone directory, dialed the number, and began speaking.
The Deputy asked, “What did they say?”
The Inspector replied, “They say there is no case against anyone of this name here.”
The Deputy said, “What is this, brother? I cannot understand. Did he change his name?”
The Inspector said, “They say no one in the Municipality embezzled any money. There is no such case.”
The Deputy said, “This is very strange. The man says he ran away with money, while the Municipality says no money was embezzled. Is this man mad?”
The Inspector said, “I cannot make sense of it. If they say there is no charge against you, then we will not find even your shadow.”
“All right, ask the Municipality office.”
The Inspector dialed again. Questions and answers followed.
The Inspector asked, “Was there a clerk named Ramanath there?”
The answer came, “Yes, there was.”
The Inspector asked, “Did he embezzle some money and run away?”
The answer was, “No. He ran away from home, but he did not embezzle anything. Is he there with you?”
The Inspector said, “Yes, we have arrested him. He himself says that he embezzled money. What is the matter?”
The answer came, “The police are clever fellows. Use your head a little.”
The Inspector said, “No one here seems able to use his head.”
The answer came, “Nor anywhere else. Listen: Ramanath made an error while balancing the accounts and ran away in fear. Later it was discovered that there was no shortage in the treasury. Now do you understand?”
The Deputy said, “What are we to do now, Khan Sahib? The bird has escaped from our hands!”
The Inspector replied, “How will it escape, sir? Why tell Ramanath any of this? Simply do not allow him to meet anyone who can bring him news from outside. His family will certainly discover where he is now, and someone will surely come looking for him. Do not allow anyone to meet him. Nothing should be put in writing. Reassure him verbally. Tell him that a report has been sent to the Commissioner recommending a pardon. We should also take the Inspector’s opinion.”
While these men were consulting the Superintendent, Devi Din returned to the police station an hour later.
The constable said, “The Inspector has gone to the sahib.”
Devi Din said anxiously, “Then have they put Babuji in custody?”
The constable said, “No, they took him along with them.”
Devi Din struck his head and said, “There is no trusting the word of policemen. I said I would return with the money in an hour, but they could not even wait that long. The government will give them only five hundred. I am ready to give six hundred. Yes, they will make a great show of efficiency, and who knows, they may send him straight to Prayag from there. I will not even get to see him. The old woman will weep herself to death.”
Saying this, Devi Din sat down on the ground.
The constable asked, “How long will you sit here?”
Devi Din, as though struck by a lash, said, “Now I will leave only after having a few words with the Inspector. Even if I have to go to jail, I will certainly scold him—scold him thoroughly. After all, he too must have children and a family! Does he not fear God even a little?
“Did you see Babuji when he left? Was he very upset?”
The constable said, “He was not upset. He was laughing quite heartily. The two of them left in a motorcar.”
Devi Din said incredulously, “What would the poor fellow be laughing about? He may laugh with his mouth, but his heart must be crying.”
Devi Din had not been sitting there for even an hour when Jaggo suddenly appeared.
Seeing Devi Din sitting at the door, she asked, “What are you doing here? Where is brother?”
Devi Din said bitterly, “They have taken brother to the Superintendent. I do not know whether I will get to see him or whether they will send him straight to Prayag.”
Jaggo said, “That Inspector is quite something. First he said how much he would take, and now he has taken him away!”
Devi Din said, “That is why I am sitting here—to have a few words with him when he comes.”
Jaggo said, “Yes, scold him properly. A man who cannot keep his word—what can one expect of him? I will tell him exactly what I think. What can he do to me?”
Devi Din asked, “Who is at the shop?”
Jaggo said, “I closed it and came. The poor fellow has not even eaten anything. He has been like this since morning. To hell with that show! He was going to get tickets for it. If he had not left the house, why would this trouble have fallen upon us?”
Devi Din said, “What if they have already sent him to Prayag?”
Jaggo said, “A letter will come, won’t it? Shall we go there and see?”
Devi Din, with tears filling his eyes, asked, “Will he be punished?”
Jaggo said, “Once the money is deposited, why would he be? The government only wants its money, doesn’t it?”
Devi Din said, “No, fool, it does not work that way. If a thief returns stolen property, he is not simply set free.”
Jaggo, sensing the harshness of the situation, said, “Inspector Sahib—”
She had not yet finished when the Inspector’s motorcar arrived in front of them. The Inspector-in-charge was also with him.
The moment Rama saw the two men, he got down from the motorcar and came over with a cheerful face.
He said, “Have you been sitting here for long, Dada? Come, let us go inside. Amma, when did you come?”
The Inspector joked, “Well, Chaudhary, did you bring the money?”
Devi Din said, “When I said I would return shortly, you should have waited for me. Come, take your money.”
The Inspector said, “You must have dug it out of the ground!”
Devi Din said, “By your good fortune, another fifteen hundred might still be found above ground. I did not have to dig. Come, brother; the old woman has been standing here for so long. I will pay the money and come back. Was this Inspector Sahib here before? He used to be posted at this very station, didn’t he?”
The Inspector said, “Then, brother, take your money back and put it in the same pot. The officers have decided that he should not be released. It is not in my hands.”
The Inspector had already gone into the office. The three men went into the adjoining room.
When Devi Din heard what the Inspector said, his eyebrows drew together.
He said, “Inspector Sahib, I understand that a man’s word is a man’s word. I brought the money at your command. You must keep your promise. To say one thing and then deny it is the work of low men.”
The Inspector ought to have been offended by such harsh words, but he did not take them badly at all. Laughing, he said, “Well, now call me low or call me a cheat, but we cannot release him. Such prey does not come every day. I cannot sacrifice my promotion for the sake of a promise.”
The Inspector’s laughter made Devi Din even more heated.
“Then with what face did you make the promise?”
“I made it with this very face,” the Inspector replied, “but a face does not always remain the same. With this same mouth I abuse someone, and with this same mouth I praise him.”
Devi Din snapped, “Have those moustaches shaved off.”
The Inspector said, “I am quite happy to do so. I had already wanted to, but I was too ashamed. Now you have given me courage.”
Devi Din said, “Do not laugh, Inspector Sahib. You laugh, and my blood boils. Even if I have to go to jail, I will certainly complain to the Captain Sahib. I may be a man worth only a penny, but by your good fortune I have access to senior officers.”
The Inspector said, “Oh, friend, are you really going to complain about me to the Captain Sahib?”
Devi Din thought his threat had worked. He said proudly, “When you listen to no one and go back on your word, others will naturally do the same to you. The Mem Sahib comes to my shop every day.”
The Inspector said, “Who, Devi? If you complain about me to the Sahib or Mem Sahib, I swear I will have your house demolished and thrown away!”
Devi Din said, “The day my house is demolished, that day neither this turban nor this badge will remain, sir.”
The Inspector said, “All right then, let us put hand against hand and give each other two blows. So be it.”
Devi Din said, “You will regret it, sir. I am telling you, you will regret it.”
Rama could no longer contain himself. Until then he had stood there meekly, like a drenched cat, merely watching Devi Din lose his temper.
He burst out laughing and said, “Dada, the Inspector is teasing you. We have reached an arrangement in which I will be released without giving anything, and on top of that I will get a job. The sahib has given me a firm promise. I will have to remain here now.”
Devi Din said like a man who had lost his way, “What are you saying, brother? Have you fallen into the police’s trap? There must be some trick hidden in this.”
Rama said calmly, “There is nothing else. I will have to give evidence in a case.”
Devi Din shook his head suspiciously and asked, “It will be a false case?”
Ramanath said, “No, Dada, it is a completely genuine case. I have already asked about it.”
Devi Din’s doubts did not disappear.
He said, “I cannot say anything more about this, brother. Think carefully before you act. If you are worried about my money, understand this: if Devi Din had cared about money, he would be a millionaire today. With these very hands I have earned a hundred rupees a day many times, and I spent every bit of it.
“What case do you have to give evidence in? Do you know anything about it?”
Without giving Rama a chance to answer, the Inspector said, “It is the dacoity case in which several poor people were killed. These dacoits had created havoc throughout the province. Out of fear of them, no one is willing to give evidence.”
Devi Din said dismissively, “So he has become an informer? That is what it is. Then he will have to say whatever the police teach him to say, brother! I am a simple-minded man; what do I know of these matters? But if I were asked to become an informer, I would refuse, even if someone offered me a hundred thousand rupees.
“How can an outsider know who is guilty and who is innocent? Along with two or four guilty men there will certainly be two or four innocent ones.”
The Inspector said, “Absolutely not. All the men who have been arrested are hardened dacoits.”
Devi Din said, “That is what you say. What do we know?”
The Inspector said, “Why would we implicate innocent people? Think about that.”
Devi Din said, “I have suffered through all this myself, Inspector Sahib! It would be better if you simply prosecuted him. It would only mean a year or two in jail. Rather than escape punishment for one act of wrongdoing, why should he carry the blood of innocent people on his head?”
Rama said timidly, “I have thought it through carefully, Dada. I have seen all the papers. There is no innocent person involved.”
Devi Din said sadly, “Perhaps, brother. Life is dear too!”
Saying this, he turned away. He could not have expressed his feelings more clearly.
Suddenly he remembered something. Turning back, he said, “Shall I leave you some money?”
Rama said awkwardly, “What need is there?”
The Inspector said, “From today he will have to remain here.”
Devi Din said harshly, “Yes, sir, I know that much. He will be entertained, he will have a bungalow to live in, servants, a motorcar—I know all that. No outsider will be allowed to meet him, nor will he be able to come and go alone. I have seen all this before.”
Saying this, Devi Din walked away quickly, as though he could no longer breathe there.
The Inspector called after him, but he did not turn around. His face was covered with the pain of defeat.
Jaggo asked, “Is brother not coming?”
Looking toward the road, Devi Din said, “Brother will not come now. When even one’s own people do not prove to be one’s own, strangers are strangers indeed!”
He left. The old woman followed behind, muttering to herself.