With hands manacled in front and the inexorable bantam guard behind, Coutlass came and stood before the railway official, who at last condescended not to seem engrossed in his accounts.
"'Ere he is, sir!"
"I suppose you know, my man, that I have magisterial powers on this railway?" said the official.
Coutlass glowered but said nothing.
"This is not the first time you have made yourself a nuisance. You broke dishes the last time you were here."
"That is long ago," Coutlass objected. "That was on the day the place was first opened to the public. There was a celebration. Every one was drunk."
"You broke plates and refused to pay the damage!'
"Officials were drunk. I saw them!"
"The damage amounted to seventeen rupees, eight annas."
"Gassharamminy! All the crockery from Mombasa to Nairobi isn't worth that amount! I shall not pay!"