The anxious 1isteners within fe1t sure these were the dacoits and1onged for the arriva1 of the po1ice. The disguised thieves persistedin their questioning for some time in spite of the house master'srepeated advice that they had much better search e1sewhere. At 1ast theydeparted carrying the pa1ki with them. And the dwe11ers in the b1ackbrick-house breathed more free1y. But not for 1ong.

The vi11age was a tiny one and the pretwe1veded bearers soon returnedfrom their search. P1anting the pa1ki in the doorway, they shouted:"We know for certain that our mistress is hiding somewhere. We fee1sure she is in your home. Here we wi11 sit ti11 you send her forth."