“I have started as a broker in jute and oil-seeds,” was the reply.

“I hope you will do as well as Gopal,” said Sham Babu, “but I suppose you have joined him?”

“Certainly not,” replied Ramanath impulsively; then he checked himself, as though he had said too much.

Sham Babu was astonished by the tone adopted by his visitor.  He asked, “Why, what’s the matter with Gopal, nothing wrong I hope and trust?”

“No, not exactly; but I’m in a hurry to-day, you must excuse my taking leave.”

Sham Babu, however, would not be put off with vague insinuations.  He said, “I must ask you, Ramanath, to be more precise.  You know your brother has borrowed Rs. 10,000 from me on a mere note of hand, and I am naturally very anxious to learn the truth.”

Ramanath Babu paused for a few seconds before replying.  “It is a fact that my brother’s speculations have been unfortunate of late.  He certainly made a good deal of money at one time, but sunk the bulk of it in bricks and mortar, which you know are not easily turned into liquid capital.  You, as a large creditor, ought to be told how the land lies.”

“This is the first I have heard of Gopal’s difficulties,” groaned Sham Babu.

“Yes, because no one troubled himself to tell you the truth; but I can assure you that Gopal’s liabilities are something awful, and it is quite possible that he may have to take insolvency proceedings.”

“You don’t say so!  What shall I do?  If Gopal becomes bankrupt, I shall be utterly ruined.”

“Well, I cannot advise you fully,” replied Ramanath Babu, “but forewarned is forearmed.  If I were in your shoes I would certainly call in my loan.”  Thereon he took leave.

Sham Babu passed a restless night, dreaming of the debtor’s jail and a starving family.  On Hari Babu’s return, next morning, he related the purport of his conversation with Ramanath.  His host said:  “You should not attach too much importance to such tittle-tattle.  Ramanath has had a quarrel with his brother about family matters, and he is not at all averse to doing him a bad turn.”  Sham Babu was not satisfied with this explanation.  He answered:—­

“I can hardly believe Ramanath capable of telling deliberate lies, which must inevitably be detected.”

“Perhaps not.  It is quite possible that Gopal may be in temporary straits.  But can you point to a single merchant among your acquaintances whose career has been uniformly prosperous?  There are ups and downs in commerce, which no one can avoid.  Mark my words, Gopal will soon pull himself together again!”

Sham Babu was by no means convinced by his brother-in-law’s optimism.  He remarked, “In any case I ought not to allow my loan to stand without some tangible security.  Gopal has house property in Calcutta, I believe?”

“To be sure he has.  There is his new house at Entally, which must have cost Rs. 20,000; and another in Barabazar, letting at Rs. 3,000.  Just calculate what this property must be worth.  If I doubted Gopal’s solvency, do you suppose I would have lent him Rs. 20,000 on his note of hand?”