Summary

Bishu-ji, an inmate in the prison who has been given authority by the British, leads Neel to a courtyard where the other inmate leaders are congregating after the evening meal. Bishu-ji presents Neel and his case to the others. Neel learns from these prisoners that his fate of being transported to a labor colony is horrific even to them and Bishu-ji tells him that he will share a cell with the only other prisoner who shares his fate. This prisoner turns out to be Aafat, an addict from China who is going through withdrawal in the cell Neel must share with him. Neel becomes familiar with the horrors of opium withdrawal. His cellmate begins to shiver until he’s convulsing and then he passes out. Aafat passes in out of delirium, slapping himself and gouging at his skin. He also cannot control his bowels...