My boat was moored beside an old bathing ghat of the river, almost in ruins. The sun
had set.
On the roof of the boat the boatmen were at their evening prayer. Against the bright
background of the western sky their silent worship stood out like a picture. The waning
light was reflected on the still surface of river in every delicate shade of colour from gold
to steel-blue.
A huge house with broken windows, tumbledown verandas, and all the appearance of
old age was in front of me. I sat alone on the steps of the ghat, which were cracked by
the far-reaching roots of a banyan tree. A feeling of sadness began to come over me,
when suddenly I was startled to hear a voice asking: "Sir, where have you come from?"
I looked up, and saw a man who seemed half-starved and out of fortune. His face had a
dilapidated look such as is common among my countrymen who take up service away
from home. His dirty coat of Assam silk was greasy and open at the front. He appeared
to be just returning from his day's work, and to be taking a walk by the side of the river
at a time when he should have been eating his evening meal.
The new-comer sat beside me on the steps. I said in answer to his question: "I come
from Ranchi.
"What occupation?"
"I am a merchant."
"What sort?"
"A dealer in cocoons and timber."
"What name?"
After a moment's hesitation I gave a name, but it was not my own.
Still the stranger's curiosity was not satisfied. Again he questioned me: "What have you
come here for?" I replied: "For a change of air."
My cross-examiner seemed a little astonished. He said: "Well, sir, I have been enjoying
the air of this place for nearly six years, and with it I have taken a daily average of
fifteen grains of quinine, but I have not noticed that I have benefited much."
I replied: "Still, you must acknowledge that, after Ranchi, I shall find the air of this place
sufficient of a change."
"Yes, indeed," said he. "More than you bargain for. But where will you stay here?"
Pointing to the tumble-down house above the ghat, I said: "There."
I think my friend had a suspicion that I had come in search of hidden treasure. However,
he did not pursue the subject. He only began to describe to me what had happened in
this ruined building some fifteen years before.