How could the daroga have any peace of mind? After Rama left, he waited for him for an hour, then mounted a horse and reached Devi Din's house. There he learned that Rama had been gone for more than half an hour. He returned to the police station. Rama was still nowhere to be found. He thought Devi Din had deceived him and must have hidden Rama somewhere. He raced back to Devi Din's house on his bicycle and began threatening him. Devi Din said, "If you do not believe me, search the house. What else can you do? It is not even a very large house. There is one room downstairs and one upstairs."
The daroga got off his bicycle and said, "Why don't you tell me where he went?"
Devi Din said, "If I knew, sir, I would tell you! He came here, had an argument with his wife, and left."
The daroga asked, "When is she going to Allahabad?"
Devi Din said, "Babuji did not say anything about going to Allahabad. She will not leave here until the High Court gives its decision."
The daroga said, "I do not believe what you are saying." Saying this, he entered the downstairs room and examined everything carefully. Then he went upstairs. Seeing three women there, he was startled. Zohra took it into her head to play a trick, so she drew a long veil over her face and hid her hands inside her sari. The daroga became suspicious. Perhaps the gentleman had disguised himself and was sitting here!
He asked Devi Din, "Who is this third woman?"
Devi Din said, "I don't know. Sometimes she comes to visit my daughter-in-law."
The daroga said, "You think you can fool me, boy! You want to hide the accused by dressing him in a sari! Which one of these is Jalpa Devi? Tell her to go downstairs. Let the other woman stay here."
When Jalpa moved away, the daroga went up to Zohra and said, "Well, madam, what is this trick you're playing on me? What did you say when you left there, and now you've come here and are enjoying yourself? All your anger has disappeared. Now take off this disguise and come with me; it is getting late."
Saying this, he lifted Zohra's veil. Zohra burst out laughing. The daroga seemed to slip and fall into an ocean of astonishment. He said, "Oh! It's you, Zohra! What are you doing here?"
Zohra said, "Doing my duty."
"And where has Ramanath gone? You must know."
"He had already left before I came here. Then I sat here and started talking with Jalpa Devi."
"All right, come with me for a moment. We have to find him."
With feigned curiosity, Zohra said, "He hasn't reached the bungalow yet?"
"No! Who knows where he has got to."
On the way, the daroga asked, "How long will Jalpa stay here?"
Zohra said, "I have lectured her thoroughly. There is no longer any need for her to leave. Perhaps she will come around. Ramanath scolded her severely. His threats frightened her."
The daroga asked, "Are you sure she won't cause any more trouble now?"
Zohra said, "Yes, that is what I think."
The daroga asked, "Then where has he gone?"
Zohra said, "I cannot say."
The daroga said, "I will have to report this. It is necessary to inform the inspector sahib and the deputy sahib. Had he been drinking too much?"
Zohra said, "He had been drinking."
The daroga said, "Then perhaps he has fallen somewhere again. He has caused a great deal of trouble! Well, I will go over there. Let me drop you at your home."
Zohra said, "That would be very kind."
The daroga put Zohra on his motorcycle and soon dropped her at her door. But by then his mind had become restless. He said, "Now I don't feel like leaving, Zohra! Come, let us have a little chat today. It has been a long time since I have received a gracious glance from you."
Zohra put one foot on the stairs and said, "Go and inform the inspector sahib first. This is no time for chatting."
The daroga got off the motorcycle and said, "No, I won't go now, Zohra! We shall see in the morning. I am coming in too."
Zohra said, "You will not listen. Perhaps the deputy sahib may be coming. He sent word today that he would."
The daroga said, "You are trying to deceive me, Zohra. Look, such faithlessness is not a good thing."
Zohra went upstairs, closed the door, and then leaned her head out of the upstairs window and said, "My respects."