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THE WRECK

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in depicting Ramesh's behaviour in the blackest col- ours.

At the conclusion of the recital Annada Babu said emphatically, "This is all new to us, I assure you. From the day that Ramesh left Calcutta we have not had a single line from him."

"Yes," chimed in Akshay, "we were so far in the dark that we didn't even know for certain that he had married Kamala. Let me ask you one question, sir. Are you certain that Kamala is his wife? She couldn't be his sister or some such relation?"

"What on earth do you mean, Akshay Babu?" ex- claimed Uncle. "Certainly she was his wife and the best wife that man ever had."

"It is a curious thing" commented Akshay, "that the more virtuous a wife is, the worse treatment she receives. Heaven reserves the hardest trials for the most deserving!" and he heaved a portentous sigh.

"It is certainly a most tragic story," said Annada Babu, running his fingers through his scanty locks, "but nothing can be done now, so why waste tears over it?"

"Well, the fact is," returned Akshay, "that I was by no means fully convinced that Kamala had com- mitted suicide. It seemed to me possible that she had merely run away from home and consequently this gentleman and I have come to Benares to prosecute a thorough search. It is quite evident that you can throw no light on the subject. However, we shall spend a few days making inquiries here."

"Where is Ramesh now?" asked Annada Babu.

"He left us without giving any address," replied Uncle; while Akshay said in turn, "I haven't seen him, but I am informed that he has returned to Cal- cutta and I presume he will rejoin the Alipore bar. A man can't go on mourning indefinitely, especially

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