who understand the value of the dakhilas (rent receipts) which landlords are compelled by law to give them.  The little slips of paper are lost or destroyed, with the result that many ryots have had to pay twice over.  Bemani vainly invoked Allah to witness that he had discharged his dues; the bailiff ordered him to pay within twenty-four hours on pain of severe punishment.  Goaded to fury by this palpable injustice the poor man declined to do anything of the kind.  At this stage Ramani Babu intervened:—­

“You son of a pig, are you going to obey my orders or not?”

“No, I have paid once, and I won’t pay again,” yelled Bemani, thoroughly roused.

Ramani Babu beckoned to a stalwart doorkeeper from the Upper Provinces, who was standing near.

“Sarbeshwar, give this rascal a taste of your Shamchand (cane)!”

He was zealously obeyed and poor Bemani was thrashed until he lay writhing in agony on the ground.  After taking his punishment he rose, and looking defiantly at Ramani Babu said:—­

“You have treated me cruelly; but you will find that there is a God who watches all our actions.  He will certainly deal out retribution to you!” He then turned to go.

“I see you are not yet cured,” exclaimed Ramani Babu.  “Let him have another dose of Shamchand.”

“Yes, go on!” roared Bemani, “beat me as much as you please; you’ll have reason to repent sooner or later!” With this remark he stood erect, looking fearlessly at his tormentors.  Sarbeshwar administered another welting, which drew blood at every stroke but was borne without sound or movement.  When the doorkeeper stopped for want of breath, Bemani cast a look of scorn at Ramani Babu and strode out of the house in silence, full of rage.

Presently another disturbance was heard.  One of the ryots had paid his rent in full but declined to add the usual commission exacted by the bailiffs, who fell on him in a body and pummelled him severely.

Sadhu witnessed these horrors from a corner of the room and inwardly besought Allah to save him from the clutches of those demons.  But Srikrishna, who was the bailiff of his circle, happened to see him and asked whether he had brought his rent.  Sadhu got up, salamed humbly, and replied, “Babuji, you know my present circumstances well”.  “Answer yes or no,” thundered Srikrishna, “I have no time to listen to your excuses.”

“Your servant is a very poor man,” continued Sadhu, shaking from head to foot.

“Who is this person?” inquired Ramani Babu.

“This is Sadhu Sheikh, of Simulgachi,” was the bailiff’s reply, “the very same rascal who gave evidence against your honour in that faujdari (criminal) case.”

“Is that so?” roared Ramani Babu.  “And the son of a pig owes me rent?”

“Now, please, do not abuse me, Babuji,” protested Sadhu, “only listen to my tale for one minute!”

“What, you dare to bandy words with me, haramzudu (bastard)?” shouted Ramani Babu, rising from his seat.  “Doorkeeper, let him have fifty cuts, laid on hard!”