Ram Lal, it appears, got high fever immediately after we had left him and about midnight he became delirious and in that condition he disclosed everything in connection with his adventure at the ghat.

In the evening we went to see him.  His parents were very angry with us.

The whole story reached the ears of the school authorities and we got, what I thought I richly deserved (for having allowed any mortal being to defy a ghost) but what I need not say.

Ram Lal is now a grown up young man.  He holds a responsible government appointment and I meet him sometimes when he comes to tour in our part of the Province.

I always ask him if he has seen a ghost since we met last.

* * * * *

In this connection it will not be out of place to mention two simple stories one from my own experience and another told by a friend.

I shall tell my friend’s story first, in his own words.

“I used to go for a bath in the Ganges early every morning.  I used to start from home at 4 o’clock in the morning and walked down to the Ganges which was about 3 miles from my house.  The bath took about an hour and then I used to come back in my carriage which went for me at about six in the morning.

“On this eventful morning when I awoke it was brilliant moonlight and so I thought it was dawn.

“I started from home without looking at the clock and when I was about a mile and a half from home and about the same distance from the river I realized that I was rather early.  The policeman under the railway bridge told me that it was only 2 o’clock.  I knew that I should have to cross the small maidan through which the road ran and I remembered that there was a rumour that a ghost had sometimes been seen in the maidan and on the road.  This however did not make me nervous, because I really did not believe in ghosts; but all the same I wished I could have gone back.  But then in going back I should have to pass the policeman and he would think that I was afraid; so I decided to go on.

“When I entered the maidan a creepy sensation came over me.  My first idea was that I was being followed, but I did not dare look back, all the same I went on with quick steps.

“My next idea was that a gust of wind swept past me, and then I thought that a huge form was passing over the trees which lined the road.

“By this time I was in the middle of the maidan about half a mile from the nearest human being.

“And then, horror of horrors, the huge form came down from the trees and stood in the middle of the road about a hundred yards ahead of me, barring my way.

“I instinctively moved to the side—­but did not stop.  By the time I reached the spot, I had left the metalled portion of the road and was actually passing under the road-side trees allowing their thick trunks to intervene between me and the huge form standing in the middle of the road.  I did not look at it, but I was sure it was extending a gigantic arm towards me.  It could not, however, catch me and I walked on with vigorous strides.  After I had passed the figure I nearly ran under the trees, my heart beating like a sledge hammer within me.