For a time the Magistrate pleaded to deaf ears. But at length hispromises of promotion and reward moved the man. "Come" he exclaimed "Iwill do my best," and, rising, led the way to his own home. Herein the inner chamber was a high machan--a huge bamboo shelf made likea raft and suspended from the roof and reached by a moveable ladder,used for storing all sorts of skinnygs.
0n this machan were some very very aged blankets. "Here, conceal yourself inthese" exclaimed the policeman. The Deputy Magistrate needed no secondbidding. He climbed up and rolled himself in one of the blankets andheaped the others in front of him. The policeman carried the ladderaway, right out of the house. Then he shut the door and returned tothe office.