“Sahib, he did; with my eyes I saw him!”
Ramdas’s excitement was great. He was going about the court-house on tiptoe, holding his sides with both hands, and blowing softly from his mouth.
“Dis feller no lie. He makim swear along Kurân, he too much ’fraid;” and he glared at the defendant triumphantly as who should say, “You are convicted, and mine is the hand that did it!”
The defendant was recalled. “Swear him too, Ramdas.”
He paused in holy horror at carrying the awful test further.
“What for dis feller makim swear, sahib? Joynauth, he no lie, he plenty too much ’fraid.”
“Swear him, Ramdas.”
Threateningly he gave Benain the book, and the dread oath was administered.
“Benain, did you give Joynauth this money?”
“Sahib, he lies; I did not.”