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THE WRECK

ties came to an end with Kamala's involuntary merri- ment.

"There's only one way to find out the truth," said Ramesh, "and that is to ask a ghost about it yourself next time you meet one,"

Kamala's curiosity was aroused. "Seriously, have you ever seen a real ghost ?" she asked.

"Not a real one; I've seen lots of imitations; the genuine article is rare !"

Kamala, "Well, Umesh says "

Ramesh. "Umesh ; who is Umesh ?"

Kamala. "Why, the boy who's travelling with us. He has seen a ghost."

Ramesh, "Well, I must confess he has the advan- tage of me there !"

Meanwhile after a great struggle the crew had suc- ceeded in getting the vessel afloat. She had not steamed far when the figure of a boy appeared on the bank. He carried a basket on his head and was run- ning at top-speed and waving his arms as a signal to the boat to stop. The skipper took not the slightest notice of his predicament. Catching sight of Ramesh the runner hailed him, "Babu! Babu!"

"Takes me for the ticket-babu," remarked Ramesh, and signed to him that he had no control over the steamer's proceedings.

"Why, it's Umesh!" exclaimed Kamala; "we can't leave him behind. You must have him taken on board."

"They won't stop for me," said Ramesh.

"Oh, you must tell them to stop!" cried Kamala, gen- uinely distressed. "Do tell them. We're quite close to the bank."

Ramesh accosted the skipper accordingly with a re- quest to stop the steamer.

"It's against the rules, sir," was all the answer he received.

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