Krishnakanta's Will (Chatterjee, Roy)/Part 2/Chapter 4
CHAPTER IV.
Madhabinath laughed, as he walked along, to think how he had frightened the foolish postmaster into telling him all he wanted to know. The talk in the village was that Rohini without doubt had left home to join Gobindalal, their trysting-place having been previously arranged. Madhabinath too had no doubt about that. He felt sure they were living together at Prosadpur, of which he could have no better proof than that Brahmananda had a remittance regularly sent him from there. However, to make assurance doubly sure he conceived a plan and resolved at once to put it into execution. He sent, on his return to the Roys' house, a note to the officer in charge of the police station, asking him to send a constable at once.
The police officer knew Madhabinath well; too well perhaps to think it at all safe to offend him, for when he had read the note, he readily sent a constable to him. Madhabinath put two rupees in the constable's hand and said, "You will have to do nothing but stand behind yonder tree so that we can see you from here." The constable walking away to do as he was told, he sent for Brahmananda. In a little time Brahmananda appeared, and Madhabinath invited him to sit down. There was no one there at the time.
The usual exchange of civilities over, Madhabinath opened a conversation with him, saying, "You were much liked and cared for by my late esteemed friend and relation, Babu Krishnakanta Roy. Now that his nephew is away we think it is our duty to help you out of any difficulty you may happen to get into. You, as I understand, are now in some scrape, and I sent for you to consult how I can best help you out of it."
Brahmananda paled. "Scrape! what scrape, sir?" he almost cried in alarm.
"The police have been informed to the effect that you have got a stolen note in your possession," said Madhabinath, looking as serious as he could.
Brahmananda looked as though he had dropped from the clouds. "A stolen note!" he exclaimed.
"You need not be astonished," said Madhabinath. "Maybe you received a stolen note and kept it without knowing or suspecting there was anything wrong."
"It is very strange, sir. I am sure I never received a note from any one."
"I knew nothing about it," said Madhabinath, looking about him, and speaking more softly, "but I heard it only this morning from the police. The police have told me that you received a stolen note from Prosadpur. Do you see that constable over there? He has orders to arrest you. I gave him a rupee and told him that I must have a talk with you first."
As Brahmananda looked in the direction indicated he saw the ominous figure of a constable with his unmistakable red turban and his badge and baton, and his consternation was such that he at once fell on his knees, imploring Madhabinath's protection.
"Courage, man," said Madhabinath. "Come, rise; don't be so affrighted. Rest assured you shall not be in disgrace if I can help it."
Brahmananda rose to his feet, and Madhabinath tried to reassure him, making him sit down by his side. "I have got the number of the stolen note," he said. "I had it from the police. Bring me the last letter from Prosadpur, and the currency note you received along with it. I have no doubt but the police have been misinformed. Granting they have not, and the number of the note received by you tallies with the number I have got here, still I can assure you that no harm will come to you. Believe me I know how to hush up the matter. Fear nothing. Now, go, bring the letter and the note."
Brahmananda, who felt that he had no alternative but to do as he was told, rose, walked hesitatingly a few steps as he looked timidly toward the constable, and stopped. Madhabinath ordered a servant to go with him, seeing that he was so afraid of the constable.
Brahmananda soon returned, and handed him the note and the letter he had last received from Prosadpur. In the letter Madhabinath found all he wanted to know. Then, on pretence of comparing the numbers he took a piece of paper from his pocket. "The number I have here," he said after a little, "does not correspond with the number of the note. Go home. You are free. The police have no hold on you."
Brahmananda drew a luxurious breath of relief. He waited not to speak a word of thanks, but left at once and hurried home as fast as his legs could carry him.
Madhabinath's thought next was of his daughter. He took her home and placed her under the treatment of a capable medical man. Afterwards he left home to go to Calcutta, whence he intended to start for Prosadpur.
On his arrival in Calcutta he saw a friend whose name was Nishakar Das. Nishakar was younger than Madhabinath, and was a good jovial fellow. Being a rich man's son, and following no occupation, he had acquired a passion for travelling. "I am going to Prosadpur," said Madhabinath to him; "I shall be so glad if you will accompany me."
"I am ready to go with you, but why to Prosadpur of all places in the world?"
"Oh, I have some intentions of buying an indigo factory," said Madhabinath, concealing from his friend the real object of his intended visit to Prosadpur.
That day he started for the place in company with his friend.
(To be continued)
Translated by D. C. Roy