Part 3 Chapter 27 Summary

After the Collector cancels the auction, rumors start up about his communist ideas, and people desperately start trading jewelery and other precious goods for small amounts of preserved food. Hoarded goods are eaten up, since people fear that everything will be taken and shared equally among the entire group. Mr. Simmons shows the Collector that there is basically no food left in the Commissariat, and there is only a small amount of rice left in storage at the church. The Collector then realizes that ammunition and powder stores are also incredibly low. Rations are decreased again, and each person receives only a handful of dal and flour. Even with this meager amount, supplies will likely last only several more weeks.

Fleury watches as Chloe scares a sepoy out of his hiding spot, and the dog tries to play with the soldier...