# The Slave Girl of Agra/Book 3/Chapter 5

V. HE KNEW HIS MASTER
Three days had passed since Gokul Das had seen the widow of Nobo Kumar, but the recollections of that meeting still made him uneasy at times.
"I have known that woman as a young bride in the fulness of her beauty and pride, and I have faced her as an intriguing woman of matchless resource, but I have never known her like this. Retired from all worldly concerns, she yet weilds an overwhelming power; a lone widow and a devotee, she yet crushes me down to the earth! It is well that she leaves us to-morrow, I should not care to face her again. The fortunes of an ancient estate like Debipur cannot be upheld by senile prayers and sanctimonious dreams.
"But I have to face my young Master this evening—in half an hour. Young Master indeed! I wonder if he remembers who picked him up from the streets and placed him by Nobo Kumar. Doth he remember who gave him his bride and his estate? These are links of an iron chain by which I hold him, and the young boy will find the shackles of Gokul Das strong. He wishes to leave certain instructions with me before he parts for the West. Gokul Das had little need for instructions even from Nobo Kumar. Yet I like not the taciturn ways of this youth, Nobo Kumar spoke out if he sometimes stormed and raved. Beware. young man! the hand that controlled that old fighting cock can strangle the chicken. You may crow a little if you like, but Gokul Das will yet rule this estate, ay, two estates, as he has done these many years."
​Half an hour had not passed before Sirish entered the room. Two oil lamps lighted the room, and a mass of papers and ledgers were arranged on the floor. Gokul Das carefully bolted the door, and then invited his young Master to a seat with the utmost humility, while he remained standing at a respectful distance.
"Be seated, Gokul Das, and sit close to me. I regard thee as a friend more than a servant—a friend who has spent his life in serving this estate. Thou wert kind and considerate to me when I was poor, thou wert helpful to me when I needed help, and never will Sirish be ungrateful to one to whom he owes so much in life."
"Little do you owe me, young Master," replied Gokul Das, modestly. "It is an invisible Fate which makes or mars the fortunes of men; it is your exalted virtues which endeared you to my late Master and raised you to a rank which no other man is worthy to fill. If this old servant has been able to render some help he has but done his duty to a House which he has served since a boy, and which his fathers served before him."
"And I hope, Gokul Das, thou wilt live long yet to serve this estate, and that thy son will succeed thee in thy duties in the fulness of time."
"Heaven bless my young Master for his kind wishes. I have eaten the salt of this House for many a long year, and it is my hope and wish that my boy should live and die a servant of this House."
"That is my wish too, Gokul Das. I like not to make specious promises, but if I can repay thy services to me by kindness to thy son, who seems apt and industrious, I shall not fail in my duty."
There was a ring of sincerity in the last words, and ​the afectionate solicitude of Sirish for his only son touched even the stony heart of the old servant. He bowed to his Master and replied:
"My boy has the blood of his fathers in his veins, dear Master, and he shall not be unfaithful to the House of Debipur. We are but humble people, but faithfulness to the House we serve has been our hereditary creed."
"I know that well, Gokul Das, and I know how well thou didst serve my late father-in-law for forty years in all the vicissitudes of his fortune."
"Yes, young Master, we have seen bad days and lived hard lives in our time. But Heaven prospered our endeavours, and my late Master died in peace, Lord of Debipur again."
"It was largely owing to thy endeavours, Gokul Das, that he won the favour of the rulers of the land and was appointed manager of Birnagar and Debipur. It was owing to thy endeavours again that he once more became Zemindar of Debipur before he died."
"Heaven alone can prosper our endeavours. I did my little best, and I shall die a happy man, having seen my old Master restored to his own."
"Long mayst thou live yet, Gokul Das, and long mayst thou minister to the people of Debipur, whose happiness is my care."
"Our crops have been plentiful these many years, Master, and there is peace all over the estate. Our collections have been good, and, after meeting the heavy expenses of the late funeral, the treasure vaults of the House are yet full. The accounts up to date are ready for my Master's inspection." Gokul Das pointed to ledgers and papers neatly piled and arranged on the floor.
​"It is not to inspect accounts that I wished to see thee this evening. They can wait till I return from the West, nor have Gokul Das's accounts ever been found at fault these forty years. It is some other matters which trouble me and which claim consideration to-day."
Gokul Das knew what was coming, and silently awaited further communication.
"Rumours have reached me, Gokul Das, that the estate of Birnagar has not improved under the administration of the Imperial Agent. Is that so?"
"That is so, Master."
"That the arrears are heavier now than when we left the place, nine years ago."
"That is so, Master."
"That the Imperial Agent is in despair, and the Kanangoe of the Province has resolved on desperate measures."
"The Kanangoe, my young Master, will carry out Imperial orders when an estate does not pay its revenue."
"And sell the defaulting estate?"
"That has been the ancient law of this Province."
"Of these two sister estates, which have existed side by side these three hundred years, one will cease to exist?"
"Of these sister estates, which have warred with each other for three hundred years, one must stand, my Master, and one must fall."
"And Birnagar House and estate, where I found shelter and love and joy, will pass to the hands of strangers?"
"Birnagar estate will be sold, my Master, but need not pass to the hands of strangers."
​"And Noren, the friend of my boyhood, will be a wanderer on earth?"
"Norendra Nath serves Raja Man Singh, who has pardoned his crime and can reward his services."
Sirish remained silent for a few moments. Gokul Das was insufferably plausible, but Sirish had not sought this interview to be put off.
"Thou speakest in riddles, Gokul Das; I expected to find in thee a friend."
"I am ever your faithful servant, kind Master."
"Speak then like a friend, Gokul Das, and tell me why Birnagar is still in arrears. The harvests have been as good as at Debipur, and the tillers of the soil have ever been loyal and peaceful. Dost thou know why our treasure vaults are full and those of Birnagar empty?"
"Raja Man Singh did not entrust Birnagar to my management, young Master. The Imperial Agent might give you information."
"Dost thou know," asked Sirish again, in a quiet but determined tone which Gokul Das understood, "why rents have not been collected at Birnagar?"
"The tillers have turned against the Agent; the tenants have combined and created disturbances."
"Hast thou heard anything about men from my estate moving about in Birnagar, misleading the tenants, and teaching them to combine and withhold payment?"
"I have heard of it," coolly replied Gokul Das.
"Have my men secretly proclaimed in Birnagar that the estate would soon pass to me, and that payments need not be made to the Imperial Agent? ​Such rumours have reached me, Gokul Das, are they true?"
"Perfectly true, my young Master," replied Gokul Das with unshaken impudence, his quick mind seeing at a glance that prevarication was futile.
"Have my men acted then without the knowledge of the old and faithful minister of Debipur House, who sees everything, does everything, arranges everything?"
"Our men have acted under my orders," was the dogged and determined reply.
Another pause ensued. Master and servant felt that the time had come for a little plain speaking.
"Trim those lamps, Gokul Das, for they are burning low. We may have to sit here a little longer yet before we have done."
Gokul Das did as he was told.
"I understand then that we have endeavoured, and successfully too, to prevent collections at Birnagar."
"We have."
"With what object, Gokul Das."
"With the object that the estate should be sold for arrears."
"What if the Kanangoe of the Province decides otherwise?"
"The Kanangoe has decided to sell."
"How does it come to thy knowledge, Gokul Das."
"From the Kanangoe's private letter to me, which I should have shown my young Master before. But recent sad events prevented all business."
Gokul Das slowly unfolded a letter, which had been preserved with great care, and laid it before Sirish. ​The young Zemindar read it and remained silent.
"Has this impending sale been proclaimed, Gokul Das?"
"Not yet, Master."
"How comes this intimation to be sent to Debipur, then, so early?"
"The gold of Debipur is spent at Rajmahal to some purpose, young Master. Our humble advice and opinion have some weight in the Court of Rajmahal."
"And have we humbly advised the sale of Birnagar as the only way of recovering Imperial revenues, and backed our advice with gold?"
"We have."
"And wherein do we gain by the sale of Birnagar estate?"
"We may appear as purchasers. Such was the wish of my old Master who is gone."
Sirish rose and slowly walked out of the room to have a little fresh air and to collect his thoughts. The whole scheme, which had so long been guarded as a secret from him, now appeared plain and intelligible. The dark and unfathomable Gokul Das had plotted for the ruin of Birnagar for years. He had sent emissaries among the people of that estate to foment combinations among the tenants, and to prevent payment of rents. He had worked secretly in the Kanangoe's office to expedite a sale. He had determined to purchase the estate and annex it to Debipur. And he had dragged Nobo Kumar headlong in the path he had marked out with unerring skill.
There was not a moment to be lost. The sale would take place in less than a month. By the time Sirish returned from the West he would find himself Master ​of Debipur and Birnagar. The skilful hand of the dark intriguer had raised him to his present position; the same hand would give him a loftier position and larger possessions before it lost its cunning.
Detesting the methods of Gokul Das, his young Master, nevertheless, could scarcely help admiring the devotion of that ancient servant of Debipur. He thought of his forty years of endeavours, his varied schemes, his deep instincts, his silent successes. And he confessed to himself that if Gokul Das's schemes were vile they were at least unselfish. He had no personal interests to serve, he worked for Debipur alone. He served with the instincts of a dog, who will attack the stag at bay to serve his master's interests.
The young Zemindar paced the verandah up and down. In half an hour's time he calmly entered the room again.
Gokul Das knew his young Master too well to disturb his thoughts. He had remained inside the room poring over the papers one by one. He rose as his Master entered.
"Pardon me for keeping thee waiting, Gokul Das, but I am new to the work of a Zemindar, and sometimes require a little time to reflect before I know what to do."
"My time is my Master's," said Gokul Das, "and I would sit here all night for his work."
"Thou hast indeed struggled hard and long to compass a great end. But tell me, for nothing is unknown to thee, what is the amount of arrears of Birnagar estate?"
"The arrears, my Master, is for several years, and has mounted up to a hundred thousand rupees."
​"And should we appear as purchasers, a hundred thousand rupees would have to be paid as purchase money at the treasury of Rajmahal?"
"That sum, my Master, and a great deal more. A great estate does not pass from one House to another without a large Salami and various other expenses. I reckon the cost at two or three hundred thousand, but Birnagar is worth that." A gleam was in Gokul Das's wicked eye.
"And thinkest thou our treasure vaults hide that large sum?"
"Trust your faithful servant to find the money. Our vaults are full, and our credit is high. The money-lenders, living in their obscure shops in the Bazaar, fatten on interest; and they will gladly part with some of their bags on the security of the estate of Debipur."
"Is there time, dost thou think, to negotiate with them?"
"The negotiation has been made, dear Master, and they have written to their branch houses at Rajmahal to advance us as much as we may require. They shall receive repayment here when I return."
"Wonderful old man, thy foresight is faultless, thy arrangements are perfect! All that is needful is done?"
"All that is needful is done, save obtaining my Master's orders, which I hoped to do at Rajmahal. But my wise Master has anticipated my plans, and, I understand, accords his approval."
"I desire, Gokul Das," replied Sirish, weighing every word he uttered, "I desire that we should pay from our own vaults—"
"I knew it, I knew it, my beloved Master Sirish, ​for I have known you as boy and man. Young in years yet you have the wisdom of age."
Gokul Das was not usually demonstrative, but a great gladness filled his heart which he did not care to conceal on the present occasion.
"I desire, Gokul Das," went on young Sirish, without heeding the interruption, "that we should pay from our own vaults all the arrears of Birnagar in order to prevent its sale. I desire to hand over to Norendra Nath the estate of his grandfather."
If the ghost of Norendra Nath's grandfather had appeared in that dimly-lighted room that instant to defend his ancient property, Gokul Das could scarcely have been more confounded and bewildered. The smile disappeared from his face, and a cloud of anger, such as Sirish had never seen before on that inscrutable brow, darkened his countenance. But it was only momentary; Gokul Das wiped his brow and spoke calmly.
"Norendra Nath has served the Emperor for nine years at the risk of his life and with the bravery of his race. To such the Emperor grants a rich Jaigir, and he may not return to seek a petty estate in Bengal."
"I know Norendra Nath. No Jaigir in all India will make him forget his grandfather's estate."
"But he has never made an inquiry about his grandfather's estate these nine years. He may have reasons never to return to Birnagar."
"Speak plainly, Gokul Das, this is no time for riddles."
"Plainly would I speak if I did not fear to wound my Master's feelings. But I will obey him. As a young man he sought the hand of Hemlata. Having ​lost her, he may not seek to come to Birnagar again; he may not care to meet her he wished to wed, or him who has wedded her. Such things have happened in the lives of ardent young men."
This was a cruel, insulting allusion, but Gokul Das had taken off his velvet glove because he meant to fight. He would save Birnagar even if he had to poniard his Master.
The red blood mantled the brow of Sirish for a moment, but he calmly answered:
"My wife will know how to receive him who perhaps once thought of wedding her when she was a girl. I ask not thy advice in our domestic affairs, Gokul Das; speak of other reasons if thou hast any."
"Little occasion there is, Master, to discuss other reasons, as we know not yet if Norendra Nath is alive to-day. My last news from Agra is that he was insensible for days and that royal physicians had despaired of his life."
Again there was a pause and Sirish brushed away a tear. But his voice was calm and firm:
"Heaven will help the young disinherited man who has suffered so much so early in life. But should he have succumbed to his wounds received in battle, his relations are the next heirs—not the Master of Debipur."
"It was the late Master of Debipur who wished to add Birnagar to his possessions; I know not if the new Master would like to disregard the last wishes of his father."
"Didst thou, Gokul Das, see my revered father-in-law when he lay helpless in his bed and knew that death was coming?"
"I did, Master Sirish, and my heart broke to see ​him pass away from our midst yet in the prime of life."
"Did he then speak to thee about Birnagar?"
"Nay, his thoughts were fixed on high; he communed with his God during the last hours of his life."
"Dost thou think, Gokul Das, in those awful moments, when he communed with his God, that it would have solaced him to know that he had robbed an orphan of his property?"
"I am a poor sinner," said Gokul Das in a humble but still determined voice, "and I know not what my late Master thought on his death-bed. I have said what he desired all through his life."
"I will tell thee then, Gokul Das, what he thought on his death-bed. The evening before his death, when my mother-in-law wept and prayed by his bed, he mingled his prayers with hers, and the name of the exiled boy Noren came faintly from his bloodless lips. If he had ever wronged that boy in life he repented on his death-bed. I would not do an act, Gokul Das, which will darken my thoughts when I die."
The battle was over. Sirish had borrowed weapons from the arsenal of his mother-in-law; against such weapons Gokul Das was powerless. "That woman," said Gokul Das to himself, "has triumphed in the end and saved Birnagar, and I am beaten. I might have known forty years ago that it was useless to fight against such as she is!"
"Thou art silent, Gokul Das. Thinkest thou I am right?"
"It is not for me, kind Master, to judge of your decision. I have acted according to my lights till the hair is grey on my head. If an old servant is no ​longer useful, he begs leave to retire from work and to pass his last days in peace."
"So far from considering thee useless, Gokul Das, I come to thee as a friend to a friend, to seek thy help. Thou shalt come with me to Rajmahal. Thou shalt pay up the arrears due from Birnagar estate. Thou shalt obtain orders from the Kanangoe for the restoration of the estate to Noren, the Imperial revenues being fully paid. And during my absence from Bengal thou shalt look after both Birnagar and Debipur. Dost thou promise all this on the faith of a faithful servant?"
Gokul Das was silent. All the visions which he had conjured up during a lifetime of intrigue and struggle disappeared like mists. All the designs which he had formed for the higher glory of Debipur House fell down like a house of cards. A silent agony, such as few men of lighter mood can feel, was wringing his heart, and tears such as none had seen in Gokul Das's eyes coursed down his withered cheeks.
"Speak, Gokul Das, for the night comes on apace. I have known no more faithful servant than thou hast been to this House, in prosperity and in adversity. None there is on this earth who has helped me more, none in whose word I have more faith, none in whose friendship and help I have more reliance. Speak and I will confide in thee as long as we live, and thou wilt be to me what thou hast been to him who is gone."
"Young Master, Gokul Das did not expect to see the day when his purposes would be baffled, his lifelong endeavours crossed. But I know my Master, and Gokul Das in his old age will not be unfaithful to the House which his fathers have served for ​generations. I will do your will, so may Heaven be merciful to me."
"May Heaven help us in our duties, Gokul Das, we have much to do in life."
Sirish embraced the old servant affectionately and left the room. Gokul Das remained alone and sleepless, till the lamps had gone out and the light of the morning fell on his grey hairs and careworn face.