About three o’clock on the same day Nalini heard that the police had come to investigate the cause of Siraji’s death.  He went at once to Sadhu’s house, where the Sub-Inspector was recording the statements of eye-witnesses.  When Abdullah’s turn came, the police officer surveyed him from head to foot, saying:—­

“I have heard of you before; what is your occupation?”

“Sir, I am a Hakim (doctor).”

“Anything else?”

“Yes, sir, I have a little cultivation and sometimes lend money.”

“Did you attend the deceased woman?”

“Yes, I was called in by Sadhu a week ago, and treated her for fever.”

“A nice mess you have made of the case too!  Swear on the Quran that you gave her no poison or drug!”

“Sir, I am ready to declare in the name of God and His Prophet that I gave her nothing but homopotik, only nuxo bomicka (nux vomica) in doses which would not have harmed a baby.”

“Now, remember you are on your oath.  Did you administer anything else?”

Abdullah’s shaking limbs proved that he was terribly apprehensive of evil consequences to himself.  He muttered, “I gave her a little patal-juice too.”

“So I thought,” said the Sub-Inspector.  “Now all present will follow me.”  With the assistance of his constable and chaukidars, he led them to Debendra Babu’s house.  The latter received them in his parlour.  He affected to be surprised and shocked by the news of Siraji’s death.

“That is strange,” retorted the Sub-Inspector.  “Abdullah here has sworn that he poisoned her at your request,”

Debendra Babu became ashen pale, but he soon regained self-possession.  Turning on Abdullah he shouted:—­“How dare you say that I gave you any such orders?”

“Babu,” whined Abdullah, “I never said so.  The Darogaji is mistaken.”

The Sub-Inspector perceived that, all the witnesses being tenants of Debendra Babu, there was no hope of getting them to stick to any statement inculpating him.  He sulkily told the Mohammadans present that they might bury Siraji’s corpse, and accompanied Debendra Babu to his house, where he was royally entertained till next morning.  However, on taking leave, he hinted that enough evidence had been secured to warrant his reporting the case as one of causing abortion by means of drugs, and that the Pulis Saheb (District Superintendent) would probably order further investigation.  Debendra Babu was seriously alarmed by the implied threat.  Visions of jail—­perchance transportation across the dark ocean—­floated in his sensorium.  He resolved to submit the case to an astrologer.

Gobardhan Chakravarti was an old Brahman neighbour who lived by casting nativities, giving weather and crop forecasts, and prophesying good or evil things in proportion to the fee he received.  Debendra Babu paid him a visit next morning and was received with the servile courtesy due to a wealthy client.  After beating about the bush for a while he said:  “My fate just now seems very unpropitious; when may I expect better times?”