'No, Saib, nothing at all; but I see something.'
'You see something! what do you mean? let me hear.'
'No, Saib, master never tell keep my life, how can I tell master?'
'I can't keep your life, but the Judge can if you give evidence that will enable him to punish these bad men.'
'Nay, Saib, master promise, then I tell Master Judge. I not know him; he perhaps no remember.'
'Well, Timbuckjee, I will see the Judge and get his promise, or I will try to get it.'
'Master Judge give promise in writing, then he no forget. He give word promise he perhaps no remember.'
My brother could not help smiling at the caution and cunning of Mr. Timbuckjee; but as the matter was of such importance he wrote a note at once to Mr. H., stating that he had reason to believe that the man who had fallen from the toddy-tree, and had so crushed his arm, could say something that would enable him to convict the murderers of Lutchmon Sing; but that the man was in such fear of the Moplah people that he refused to speak unless he, the Judge, would grant him a written promise to protect him.
After some delay Mr. H. went to my brother's house and saw Timbuckjee. But he seemed little inclined to make any statement of any value, till a native vakeel was sent for, who, after a great deal of trouble, at last made him understand that if he gave evidence to enable the law to act the law would protect him.
At last Mr. H. said: 'If I give you a belt, and make you one of the Zillah Court peons, will that content you?'