‘Really he could not remember, so many went and came; how could he, the Kotwal, who saw a thousand new faces every day, retain a recollection of any? Prisoners too in hundreds passed by—sometimes remaining there for a day, but he never saw them; he had no curiosity, he had other business; he was in fact the Kotwal, upon whom rested all the affairs of the town.’
Philip was in despair. ‘Can you get me no information?’ he said; ‘I do not speak the native language, and to me inquiry is useless.’
‘Of course, if my lord wished it,’ he would make every inquiry; and in truth he began in earnest with those about him; none, however, could remember anything but vague descriptions of prisoners passing and repassing; and Philip, after a long and patient investigation which led to no result, was about to depart, disappointed and vexed, when a man entered who had been absent on some message; he was one of the labourers, or scouts of the village, and the Kotwal immediately said to Philip, ‘If any one can give you the information you seek, it is this man, for it was his business to attend upon the Sultaun’s people who came hither with prisoners.’
He was immediately questioned, and gave ready answers; he perfectly remembered a Feringhee who was brought ill, and long remained at the Fakeer’s Tukea,[[54]] beyond the town, lying upon the Chubootra;[[55]] they were told he was an officer, and an order came to him from the Sultaun himself, brought by Jaffar Sahib Jemadar.
[54]. Lit. Pillow, the abode of a Fakeer.
[55]. Elevated seat or terrace.
‘Surely, surely!’ cried the Kotwal, whose memory appeared wonderfully refreshed; ‘’tis strange I should have forgotten him, seeing that he was often fed from my house; women you know, Sahib, have tender hearts, even for those of a different faith, and we knew nothing of the brave English then.’
‘Canst thou guide me to this Fakeer?’ said Philip to the man, who could speak indifferent Hindostanee.