At night, Azad reached the house of a rich trader, Dilsukh Rai. He was accompanied by Bhagat Singh who was in Englishman’s dress. There was another revolutionary with them, perhaps, Rajguru. Azad and the other one in shirts and pants. Bhagat Singh could pass of as an European due to his fair complexion.
The house of Seth Dilsukh Rai was garishly decorated to announce his riches. His accountant was with him with ledger. They were doing up the accounts matters as was their daily routine. Seth loved to hear the account figures to know how much richer the day had made him before going to bed. Just then the gatekeeper rushed in to inform, “Lord! Someone has come to meet you.”
“Munimji! Go out and find who it is at this hour,” Seth asked his accountant.
The accountant went outside and found an English Sahib looking person with two Indian subordinates. The accountant (Munimji) asked with folded hands, “Sir! What service can I do for you?”
“I come from Lucknow. Tell your Sethji that Governor’s P.A. has come to see you on government business,” Bhagat Singh said in Hindi in English accent.
The accountant rushed back to his Seth a bit frightened and informed, “S…Sethji! It is P.A. Sahib of English Governor Sahib. He wants to see you.”
Seth Dilsukh Rai was stunned. He looked scared. He got up and ran towards the door like a defeated Sumo wrestler. He saluted the P.A. alias Bhagat Singh and spoke, “Please come in Saheb. Why did you take trouble to come at this hour? You could have summoned me and I would have come running to you in your service.”
Seth got the P.A. Saheb seated with great honour and served him sherbat and sweets. Then P.A. Saheb questioned Seth Dilsukh Rai, “” You are Seth Dilsukh Rai. Aren’t you?”
“Yes, Sir. What service can I offer, Saheb?”
“I have come to check your ledgers and account books.”
“Are you on Income tax business, sir?”
“No, Seth, no. I am the P.A. to Governor Bahadur. Only some years back our war with Germany ended.”
“I know, Saheb, I know. And our England government won.” “You are right. We won but our government had to spend a lot a money. As a businessman you should know that the war is a very costly business. England government is still under debt. Governor Bahadur has received a letter from England that money be collected from rich Indians like you to pay off the debts.”
“What are you saying, Saheb?”
“First let me see your ledgers. We will find out how much you owe to the England government.”
“Saheb, you don’t have to take trouble. Just tell me how much I should pay?”
“Our auditors are outside. Call them in. They will consult the files we have on you.”
The accountant went out and called in Azad and Rajguru. They were carrying files. Both of them sat down and acted to consult the files, turned over some pages and Azad said, “Not much. Seth Dilsukh Rai has a good record of paying taxes. He only owes us twenty five thousand rupees.”
The amount shocked the Seth. He was sweating.
He said to the P.A., “Sabeb! It is a very big amount.”
“Not big, Seth. England government will always remember your service. You are to be conferred the title of the ‘Rai Bahadur’. That’s why the Governor Bahadur sent me personally to you. But don’t tell it to any one till the Governor gazettes the announcement.”
Seth listened to the good news with delight. He was almost shaking with joy. His face was bright. Seth asked, “When shall I get this honour?”
“By next month, I suppose.”
“That’s great honour, Saheb. When should I pay the money? Tomorrow?”
“Right now, Seth. We can’t go back to the Governor empty handed. We will report to him that you have no objection to the title of ‘Rai Bahadur.’ It is a very urgent matter.”
Seth called out to his accountant, “Munimji! Give the amount to Saheb Bahadur.”
“You’ve the keys to the safe,” the accountant reminded him.
Sethji went to the safe and took out twenty five thousand rupees. He handed the money to P.A. Saheb saying, “In the service of Saheb Bahadur. You can visit me any time, sir, I will feel highly obliged. Give my salaams to Governor Bahadur. Please don’t forget the title matter.”
P.A. Saheb alias Bhagat Singh handed the money to Azad and instructed, “Enter it against the name of Sethji.”
Then he turned to Seth and said, “Thank you, Mr. Seth. The title you will definitely get now. Have no doubts.”
And Saheb and his men departed leaving behind Seth Dilkhush Rai dreaming of glorious words of ‘Rai Bahadur’ added to his name. He was unable to contain his joy and was acting very restless. The accountant noticed it and said to please him, “Sethji! You’ve made it. Imaging Rai Bahadur Seth Dilkhush Rai! You have become the pupil of the eye of the England Badshah. Your rival Chhagan Lal has been trying for years to become Rai Bahadur but he failed. But the title is coming to you without licking any one’s boots. The good work always rewards. I am sure that Chhagan Lal will die of jealousy. Serves him right. Ha Ha!”
“God never does any wrong,” Seth Dilkhush Rai said with his eyes closed in divine happiness and revealed, “Dear Munimji, the blessings of elders count very much in life. It is the blessing of Laxmiji as well. I am myself nothing but their blessings are earning me the title of Rai Bahadur.”
Suddenly, a police party arrived there. It puzzled the Seth. The policemen surrounded him while an inspector stood aside sizing him up.
“Who went away from here a little while ago?” Inspector drew closer.
“It was Governor Bahadur’s P.A. Saheb. He collected twenty five thousand rupees from me,” the Seth revealed.
“Really? Can you describe them?” Inspector was thoughtful.
“Yes. P.A. Saheb was in suit and hat. White, lean and tall young man.”
“And who was with him?”
“Two Indian assistants. One of them was of wheatish colour with a well built body. He had moustache. Another was a clerk type.”
“Then, your money is gone, Sethji. You have been duped. One of them was Azad. The P.A. was Bhagat Singh, I am sure.”
“Oh. No! Get my money, please,” the seth cried.
“Which way they went?”
“Towards Mall Road. They said that I would get the title of Rai Bahadur.”
“They are enemies of the government. The only title they can give you is that of ‘Idiot’.”
Inspector and the constable’s ran towards the Mall Road. After their departure Seth lamented, “Munimji! I am ruined. Those thieves took away my hard earned money. Now what shall I do? What will become of me?”
“Patience! Sethji patience,” the accountant held his master’s hand in sympathy.
“They cheated me. God will give them million years in burning hell. You will see, Munimji…God will do justice.”
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