Amarendra Babu’s cupidity was excited by these words.  He asked with apparent indifference:  “Well, let me hear more of your famous plans, and meantime I’ll call for a hookah”.

Jogesh was overjoyed by the success of his manoeuvres.  He answered, punctuating his sentences by inhaling fragrant Bhilsi, “You have heard of Campbell & Co., the big cooly recruiters of Azimganj?  Well, they have an agency in Calcutta for supplying emigrants to Mauritius, Trinidad, and other outlandish places; and it is run by one Ganesh Sen who is a close friend of mine.  He tells me that a number of sub-contracts will be given out to-morrow, and I have made up my mind to apply for one.  Ganesh Babu is sure to come to terms with me; and I know a very smart sardar (ganger) who will supply me with any number of coolies I want.  But I shall take care to keep a large margin between the rate per head, at which they will be delivered to Campbell & Co., and that which my sardar will receive.  All this will be clear profit.”

“It seems a good speculation,” said Amarendra Babu musingly, “but I should like to have further particulars.  What do you expect to make per head delivered; and what capital will be required?” Jogesh pulled out a paper covered with calculations, and proved to his host’s satisfaction that as much as Rs. 5 might be expected on each cooly.  As for capital, a few hundreds would be needed in the first instance as an advance to the sardar, and other sums later, to provide outfits for the coolies according to law.  Campbell & Co. settled the accounts of sub-contractors monthly, so that Amarendra would not have to wait long for his money.  Jogesh concluded by urging his baibahik (father of a son-in-law) to call with him on Messrs. Campbell & Co.’s Calcutta manager, who would corroborate his statements.  Amarendra Babu thought that there would be no harm in going into matters further.  He fixed 4 P.M. on the following day for a visit to 809 Strand, where Campbell & Co.’s branch offices were said to be located.

On arriving there punctually, he was met by Jogesh, who took him through a courtyard where twenty or thirty coolies were squatting, shepherded by a stalwart Mohammadan, wearing a blue turban, who was introduced as Salim Sardar, his ganger.  Pushing through the little crowd, they entered a well-furnished office, where several clerks sat writing busily.  One of them looked up when Jogesh said:  “Ganesh Babu, I have brought you my baibahik, who is thinking of joining me in a sub-contract”.

The manager, for such he was, received Amarendra Babu politely and said that he would gladly come to terms with them.  He then produced a written contract in duplicate on stamped paper, by which the partners agreed to furnish at least 1,000 coolies monthly, during the emigration season, at rates which left a net profit of Rs. 5 per head, to be shared equally between them.  After reading both documents over twice, Amarendra Babu executed them, as did Jogesh; and the former