Prison Chandrakant could not have answered them without revealing the ascetic’s secret message. At the same time he was expected to give some response. ‘I came here in a hurry because I sensed that some news of my friend would be conveyed to me.’ ‘Did you get any news?’ ‘I got some vague information, probably inconsequential. But I am promise-bound not to reveal even that.’ ‘Do not worry. Please come with us to the prison. The officials there have collected some information which we shall assess and then make further arrangements,’ Shankar Sharma said. Ratnanagari had two prison houses, one for convicted prisoners and the other one for under-trial prisoners. These two prisons were separated by a temple. Under British rule the police have jurisdiction over the under-trial prison. But the police tend to torture prisoners who are under trial. Therefore, a decree from Bhim Bhavan gave jurisdiction over the under-trial prison to the Jail Superintendent. The police could enter it only for purposes of investigation. Shankar Sharma and Pravindas took Chandrakant to the under- trial prison. They were met at the gate by two low-ranking police officials, who escorted them inside the prison. Cells with iron bars were constructed around an open square. Half of these cells were empty while the other half housed under-trial prisoners. Aarthdas was one of the prisoners. The prison official pointed him out to the group. They sat on chairs placed in the open square.

Harbham, Abdullah Khan and Fatehsinh joined them. Sardar Singh, the Chief of Police, came with some letters and books. ‘Sardar Singh, please give Chandrakantbhai all the information with proof about Sarasvatichandra,’ Pravindas said. ‘Yes. I also need to take his testimony regarding certain matters,’ replied Sardar Singh. Shankar Sharma said, ‘Please do so quickly and make sure we do not waste time over unnecessary and inconsequential matters.’ Sardar Singh opened a diary and said, ‘For several months Sarasvatichandra lived as a guest of Buddhidhanbhai in Suvarnapur. He left the place the day after Buddhidhanbhai was appointed the Karbhari. One day after his departure Kumudbehn left Suvarnapur. There is a Shiv temple called Rajeshwar on the outskirts of Suvarnapur. He got into a bullock cart somewhere near the temple. Pramaddhan’s personal messenger called Ramsen met him before he left. Sarasvatichandra had read Chandrakantbhai’s letter. He spoke about it to Buddhidhan and told him that he had to set out immediately to meet Chandrakant.’ Chandrakant: ‘Where was the meeting to be?’ Sardar Singh: ‘At Bhadreshwar. Sarasvatichandra lived in Suvarnapur under the assumed name of Navinchandra. There were some incidents which took place while he lived in Buddhidhanbhai’s house. Pramaddhan was angry because of them, and he committed suicide by drowning in the sea.’ Chandrakant: ‘What caused him to do so?’ Sardar Singh: ‘It is immaterial for the present and in any case it is confidential; our officers went to Suvarnapur and have gathered the evidence. We also have evidence of Sarasvatichandra’s journey by the bullock cart. There were three others in