Hugo Fall's diary

1

My name is Hugo Fall. I'm one of many Englishmen who were able to get rich through the East India company, to take part in the suppression of the sepoy rebellion and earn the favor of the Queen. But my story is different from others. I'd like to see this manuscript in hands of my descendants warning them of the danger that lurks in this house. After all, they have me to blame for its appearance.

2

Now I'm 71. I was seriously ill and going to leave this world for a better place soon. No one will mourn me at my deathbed. But before I die, I have to tell the truth to those who will own this mansion after me. Whether it's my family or someone else, whatever. They will need to know about the horrific, fatal events that happened to me when I was a British army officer and was in the service under the hot sun of India.

3

I had already described my trip to India during the sepoy rebellion in my diary. But I was genuine and never wrote the truth of what had happened during my journey. So, we arrived in Calcutta, and then left for Meerut.

4

Enfield rifle... did it really cause the rebellion? Or was it the final nail in the coffin of patience of not only the sepoys, but all the natives of India? The East India company did not hesitate to forcibly expand its influence on the local population to force European ideas to the savages”... A lot of it was done without the knowledge and permission of the Queen. However, it was the Enfield rifle and the new bullets that set the sepoys to the riot.

5

There was a long way for us - from Calcutta to Meerut traveling on elephants. Large and strong animals, they were a slow but reliable transport. I've always liked these trips, but my friend, officer Robert Grantham, for some reason didn't love these strong and wise animals and was always nervous, when he had to travel on the elephant’s back.

6

There is one important fact that should be mentioned. My father died when I was 16 years old. His death was sudden, unexplained and painful. Mother was not able to endure this grief. She also had gone six months after his death... Before he died, father called me over, put something in my hand and asked to take care of this thing as if it was the most precious thing in my life.

7

The item was strange. Steel flat triangle looked like an unusual throwing dagger. However, its sides were not sharpened, but covered with unusual notches as the stem of the key. The top side of it was decorated with flat opal framed with silver monograms.

8

My father didn’t say what it was. But I realized that this thing was very precious to him. I asked one craftsman to make a small ring on the monograms, put a lace through it and began to wear father’s gift as an amulet. I didn’t leave it anywhere for a single day, so, when I travelled to India my amulet was with me.

9

So, we headed to the town of Meerut. Grantham and I had to "share" one elephant. Our road, or rather trail, was very bumpy, full of pits, stones and other obstacles. Our elephant’s controlled pace was interrupted by a little accident. There was a bee on the road that started flying right before elephant’s eyes. Giant animal was scared; it stopped sharply and started swinging trying to get rid of the pesky insect. The platform we were sitting at began to shake and I suddenly started falling down.

10

I saw the elephant in horror moving his legs, thick as pillars. One more second — and I will fall under these pillars, and will be crushed, destroyed, because of a small insect... I closed my eyes, not ready to accept such a stupid fate...

11

And suddenly my fall was stopped, and I felt a sharp pain burning my neck. I opened my eyes and saw myself hanging on the elephant’s side. My father's amulet fell off from under my uniform, and Grantham managed to catch the lace and stop me from falling. Robert held the amulet looking at it in deep amazement. I had to call him with voice hoarse from the pressure of the lace. My friend looked away from the amulet and helped me to climb back on the elephant. Obviously he was as shocked as me.

12

The riot in Meerut began suddenly. The sepoys attacked the British on all sides - civilian and officers. The revolt began on the local market, and before we could react, several houses were set on fire. We arrived in time to restrain violent rebels from further destruction. However, our forces were insufficient to suppress the rebellion completely. Meerut was like an oil soaked torch. One spark and the riots will flare up again.

13

We tried to keep the defense in the town fortress, where officers' wives, their children and other civilians have taken shelter. It was not easy, because there were much more sepoys than the British in Meerut, and several British officers were killed during the first wave of riots. Even our backup failed to tip the scales. We tried not only to recapture the city, but also to save as many people as possible.

14

During one of the raids I went to the house where a family of the British officer supposed to hide. But when I cross the threshold, the torch was thrown in the room through the rickety window and then another and more. The house caught fire immediately, and the exit was closed. I tried to get out, but there were flames everywhere. Smoke made me choke and I would have fainted, but the Hindu appeared. I don’t know if he was hiding in the house or got there after the fire started. He covered me with a blanket and pulled out of the hut.

15

My savior's name was Murugan. He was badly burned; I only avoided that fate because of the blanket he had covered me with. Thin, short young man, he told me: “Sahib, I want to serve you. I am against the rebellion against the sepoys". He saved my life, so I hired him.

16

Murugan was a great servant. He fearlessly stood beside me during the battle, carried the ammunition and other things. It was evident that he came from a poor family, and I became a salvation for him.

17

Here, in the rebellious city, on the streets washed with blood, under the merciless rays of hot Indian sun, I met her. That day I was walking down the deserted street of Meerut, Murugan was following me. Suddenly we heard a woman screaming and crying in the half-ruined hut. We immediately rushed there...

18

The sight was unpleasant. Three sepoys were standing around a beautiful young girl lying on the floor. Her face was suffused with tears, clothes were stained and torn, cut lip was bleeding... One of the sepoys held a knife to her throat, the other was holding her hands. Their intentions were clear. I called Murugan, and we immediately engaged them in battle.

19

I was already an experienced officer and a tough fighter in my 35 years. Therefore, all three sepoys died by my hand. Murugan was a rookie in the fight, so I had to protect both him and the girl. When it was over, we helped the poor girl up. I asked her name, and she, without raising his eyes, whispered: "Lakshmi..." Then, she ran away pretty quickly. There was something very attractive in her appearance, in her eyes, in a gentle voice. I stood and watched her bright clothes fading in the distance, until Murugan called me out.

20

We were still in Meerut fighting the sepoys. I was not lucky: one of the rebels shot at me and hit right in the chest. I would have died in terrible agony, if not for the amulet. The bullet hit right in the middle of the opal, splitting it. But apart from that the amulet remained unharmed. Murugan was looking at it in surprise while applying a compress to the huge bruise on my chest. I was amused by his surprise. But secretly I trembled with admiration: the amulet has saved my life twice.

21

We stayed in Meerut for quite a long time. But then it was suggested that British soldiers and officers with their families would leave the town, and find shelter with the local Nawab in Rampur. Food and water supply were exhausted, and we knew that our powers were not enough to defeat the sepoys. So we packed up and left town.

22

Regiment of natives followed us to Rampur. It was good because nobody knew if the rebel troops would attack us on our retreat. We had to stop to find food and to draw water from rivers and streams. During one of these stops I decided to cool off in the cold river. Murugan stayed in the camp. Climbing into the river, I enjoyed the coolness and energy surge. Then, starting to get out of the water, I saw Robert.

23

He was standing on a hill by the river, staring at me. I thought it was strange. I got dressed, returned to the camp, and when I met Grantham there, asked him why he was following me. He said that he was walking along the shore, and then he noticed me in the water. "It seemed to me that a sepoy was watching you from the bushes on the bank. I stopped and began to peer there, but there were no movement. Either the rascal fled, seeing me, either it was the wind". Grantham's explanation was reasonable, but why did his voice tremble so much during our conversation?

24

Finally we arrived in Rampur. After a grueling battle in Meerut, a long and arduous journey, the palace of the Nawab was like an oasis in the desert. One day I went to the balcony of the Palace and saw a young girl in the street. She was carrying a basket of fruit. Her slender figure, bright clothes, light movement reminded me of the saved Lakshmi. I was surprised that I still remembered her. What was so unusual in that Indian girl that she would not leave my head? This question tormented me for a long time.

25

Nawabs' palaces are famous for their size. They are full of hidden corners, places hidden from prying eyes! One day Robert took me to one of these corners, saying that he needs to tell me something important. I was angered by such behavior: is unworthy of an officer to hide in the corners like a rat. Not paying attention to this fact, Grantham said that I should not trust Murugan, he could be dangerous for me. When I asked to explain exactly what he meant, Robert just repeated his words and left me.

26

Sir Longstock asked to accompany sir Greensmith in England. I did not go into details, because the officer in the British army should not interfere in politics. But I felt very relieved to know that I will step my foot on the British soil again! At parting Longstock handed me a box that I decided not to open until I return home.

27

We left Rampur and without incident made it to Calcutta. It turned out that our ship won't leave earlier than in a few days. A welcome departure had to be postponed for a while. I had only one desire: to leave this hot, dangerous land.

28

The next day after our return to Calcutta Grantham was gone! He left in the morning after breakfast, but did not return in the evening. The next morning our ship was to sail, but how could I leave Calcutta without knowing about the fate of Grantham? I couldn't stop thinking about where he was. Maybe he was kidnapped and executed by sepoys? I sent a group of soldiers to look for him.

29

The soldiers searched all night and the next day, but all in vain. Late at night on the second day after his disappearance, Robert has returned. He looked awful: dirty, torn uniform, the face and neck painted with bruises, disordered hair... He said that he was kidnapped by a group of sepoys, and had to be executed, but he managed to trick them and escape. I wanted to believe him, but... It all looked very strange, and his words were hesitant, as if invented right there and then...

30

We were unable to set sail the next day after Grantham's return: the weather suddenly turned bad. A few days later, when Robert recovered, and I was beginning to lose patience, he asked me to walk to the Kali temple, which was located on the outskirts of the city. There was nothing to do, and since Calcutta was safe from rebels, we could not worry about something ruining our walk. Robert asked me not to take Murugan with us, and I did so, though I didn't like it. But I knew that in any case, I would be able to protect myself.

31

As soon as I got under the arches of the Kalighat, I felt a sense of danger and impending doom. It was like the bright colors and patterns were hiding evil from eyes of the mortals, like the sweet smell of incense hid the stench of rotting bodies... the Soul of Kalighat was evil and heavy... I stopped, looking at the temple. Then I felt someone watching me. I turned and saw a statue of the Kali goddess.

32

Kali was looking at me from a two-feet-wide pedestal, naked woman with blue skin, obscenely long tongue protruding between the scornfully curved lips. In one of her four hands she was holding a sword, a hammer in the other, a sickle in the third and in the last one... there was a man's severed head. Of course, it was only a fake, but the entire appearance of the goddess was terrifying. She looked alive.

33

I stopped near the statue hypnotized by the look of her eyes. Don't know how long I stood there. It seemed that her breasts were about to begin to rise from the breath, her four hands were about to move... Grantham was there, saying something, but I didn't hear him. I looked into Kali's eyes and saw the darkness. Someone's cool touch pulled me out of this trance.

34

I looked up from the statue and turned to the intruder of my peace. Beside me there was a wrinkled old Hindu. Half of his face was covered with horrible burn marks, the other - dotted with deep wrinkles. The stranger looked pitiful and very poor. He leaned toward me, and the scarf on his belt rang strangely, as if it was sewn with coins.

35

The old man gave me a sly look of his one good eye and whispered something. "She chose you..." those were his words? Or did I imagine them? I couldn't move, everything happening seemed so unreal... Robert, hearing the hiss of the old man, grabbed him by the shoulder and dragged him from me. Then he started to argue with him. I felt annoyed and headed for the exit.

36

Grantham caught me at the exit of the Temple. He said not to worry about this incident, crazy fanatics were often trying to scare the British. Despite the fact that I have not heard his conversation with the Hindu, it seemed to me that they knew each other. But Robert told me it was the first time he saw this man. Still, I couldn't stop wondering: what happened to Grantham? What's he playing at? I wished I took Murugan with me. Perhaps he could explain what the old madman wanted from me.

37

The weather turned better, and the next day we finally had to leave the Indian shore. My heart was breaking, but not because of parting with this wild and violent country. Murugan begged me to take him to England, but I refused. Our separation was hard for him; it meant that he had to return to the old poor and hungry life. But there was nothing I could do.

38

Returning to England, first I accompanied sir Greensmith where he has long been expected. The Queen was very grateful to me for faithful service in India. And I was extremely happy to finally be rid of the constant presence of Robert Grantham. He was still my friend, and I always respected him as a brilliant officer, but lately his behavior was inexplicable, mysterious and was only arousing my hostility and irritation.

39

The real surprise awaited me when I returned home. When I finally recovered from the long road, I suddenly remembered about the mysterious box that sir Longstock had given to me. Its content still remained a mystery to me. I got the box from my luggage and found inside a bill in in name from the East Indian company that made me a very wealthy man.

40

There were also papers in that box that denounced some persons, who were possibly standing behind the sepoy mutiny. I knew immediately who I needed to deliver these papers, and what action they would take. Looking through the contents of the box, i was happy. I knew then, these papers would change my life forever.

41

Then I was young and dreamed about starting a family. I wanted to create a family estate, a home for generations of Falls. I had even seed this house in my dreams. Shortly after returning I found out that someone was selling an old mansion in the middle of nowhere, standing far from the busy city life on the edge of the forest... it seemed to me that this house could make my family estate. When I bought it and first came under his dusty roof I had the feeling that I was back home...

42

It only took me one day to deliver all my belongings in the new house. Late in the afternoon when the last carriage with my luggage arrived, I was standing outside, near the porch looking up at the sky. It was getting dark, and I didn't see the driver. Once he stopped and dismounted, suddenly it seemed to me that someone else has jumped from the back of the carriage. I walked around the cart and looked behind it but saw no one. Then I thought it was just my imagination.

43

It was a row of long, busy days. I had to furnish my new home and at the same time attend balls and dinner parties of high society. On one of these noisy, crowded and unspeakably pompous events, I met the love of my life. Beautiful, fragile, delicate, Miss Sarah Harlow has won my heart in a blink of an eye.

44

I have long admired her at a ball before dared to ask for a dance. She looked up at me with her kind eyes, golden like the honey of May, and smiled, accepting the invitation. We were dancing and I was so confused that I couldn't say a word. She noticed it and said laughingly, "Ah, Mr. Fall, do not forget to breathe!" And I immediately felt easy, as if the shackles of formalities and conventions fell off me. That was the beginning of the beautiful friendship.

45

She was the only and beloved daughter of Charles Harlow, owner of a substantial share in the East India company and the tea production in India. I knew him before. After information was published about the crimes of other shareholders of the company, he found out that I had a hand in this, and thanked me personally when we met at the ball. He said that he had never supported the idea of impact on aboriginal people. "It was a bold move, Mr. Fall!" - said Harlow.

46

Sometimes I felt like someone was following me. Especially in the evenings when I was reading by the fireplace in the living room. I looked at the window, but there was no one there. Then I asked the watchman to walk around the yard and house, but the rounds never ended with the capture of the stranger. And one day I woke up and felt the faint smell of curry in my room. I was going to get dogs and hire detectives, but then Harlows appeared in my life and Sarah had got all my attention.

47

Mr. Harlow invited me to dine at his estate. I was grateful to him, because it was an opportunity to see Sarah again! How sweet and charming was she at that dinner. And her father said that I must organize my own production in India. After that dinner there was another one and another. Soon I became a frequent and most welcome guest in the Harlow's house.

48

One day Grantham decided to pay me a visit. The memoirs of his deeds in India have faded, and I was glad to meet an old friend. We had lunch, drank brandy, remembering the old days. Then suddenly he started talking about my father. I was surprised that Robert knew him. It turned out that my father was a friend of his father, who's already deceased too. Robert said that he knew that the amulet that I wear on the chest was an heirloom from my father. He called it a "key". "Why are you carrying it? Do you know what this key opens?" - asked Grantham.

49

These questions seemed odd to me. What did he know about my father's gift? Grantham had hinted that the key was too important and valuable thing, and that I needed to hide it and not to carry on my neck carelessly. I was outraged and start demanding answers, but he said he had no right to talk about it, apologized and left quickly.

50

The sepoy mutiny lasted more than two years. But, in the end, it was suppressed. The East Indian company has lost a substantial part of their authority in India. Now our Queen controlled the Indian lands as well. It seemed that once the rebellion was suppressed, all the troubles were gone. But for me, they had just begun.

51

I invited Mr. and Miss Harlow to my mansion for the weekend. Together we wanted to celebrate the end of conflict in India. When Sarah entered the hallway, she looked around in amazement then turned her eyes at me and exclaimed, "Mr. Fall! I feel like I have come home, not paying a visit!" Charles and I were taken aback by such a blatant and sudden statement. Sarah herself didn't expect it to be said out loud. She was very embarrassed, blushing... But these words have born hope in my heart, and i wished them to be prophetic.

52

I was afraid this day would come. And it happened. By order of the Queen I was sent back to India. I was entrusted with an important task: to evaluate the strategic advantages of the location chosen for the construction of the railway. At that time the railway transport in India started developing very fast. But the construction of the most railroads had been kept under tight military control. Despite the honor and importance of the task I didn't want to go back there.

53

A couple of days before leaving England I found out that Robert Grantham was also sent to India on the same ship with me. I didn't know if it was a coincidence or he planned this. But doubts of his sincerity and kindness to me have already firmly rooted in my soul, and I decided to limit our communication.

54

Come to be under the scorching sun again, surrounded by savages, each of whom is willing to sell you for a few rupees or stab you in the back... No, I didn't want to return to India... Suddenly the key that I kept in the desk drawer now has caught my eye. I took it and weirdly felt better. I put it on again and promised myself to never turn leave it anymore. And stay away from Grantham and his mad ideas.

55

While sailing I noticed that Grantham himself did not seem to want to talk to me. Only time we met on the deck, it would be a brutal indecency to avoid the conversation. During the small talk we found out that we had the same destination point: he accompanied the group of engineers who would work on the construction of the railway in the region. The conversation has dispelled my fears: it was obvious that Grantham is not going to talk about my father and his gift.

56

And here it is, hot Calcutta, the centre of British India. A city of contrasts, a city of opposites... where the most beautiful architectural ensembles go side by side with clusters of the most miserable and poorest shack... I felt the heaviness of this city, the stench that oozed from beneath the bright mask of Calcutta. Goddess Kali... was it her influence that has made the city look like that?

57

Grantham offered to stay with British a friend of his, the owner of a large manufacture of Indian fabrics, Mr. Bradley. I accepted the offer light-heartedly.

58

The strangeness began on the very first night. I woke up well after midnight, but not from the stifling southern heat, but the feeling that someone has sneaked into my bedroom. Opening my eyes, I noticed the fine silhouette, that was bent over a small table of ivory, standing near my bed.

59

A ray of moonlight sneaked into the room and fell on the face of the night visitor. It was Lakshmi! I shuddered and jumped. The girl screamed and rushed to the window. But I don't let her get away managing to catch her by saree. The noise has waken the servants and with them appeared the sleepy owner of the mansion accompanied with Grantham. Everyone was shocked to see Lakshmi. Robert and I said that we would interrogate her ourselves and find out what savage was doing in my bedroom.

60

Lakshmi's heavy braid, decorated with flowers slid over her shoulder, her thigh and down almost to the floor like a woody vine. The soft velvet of her dark skin seemed golden in the dim candle light. She was so wild, but at the same time, so alluring, like her whole inside was filled with a dancing flame. And even fear and confusion were not able to mas the challenge in her eyes.

61

Her whole posture expressed submission. Lakshmi looked at us fearfully, piteously. Of course, she recognized me. And realized that I recognized her. When we started to ask how she got here and for what purpose, the girl muttered, not allowing us to say a word: "Sahib! This is the merchant that saved me then with you, Murugan! He said I owed him for saving my life, and I will redeem my debt, if I do that." Grantham gave me a meaningful look. But I could not recover from amazement.

62

Murugan! The one who swore loyalty to me and cried during our separation! This kind, quiet young man. I was bitter and sad to hear that he was behind the breaking and entering. The poor girl said that she lived in poverty selling spices in the market but the proceeds were barely enough for living. Murugan has promised her a great reward if Lakshmi gets in the specified room at night and steals all the values. "How was I to know that he asks to rob you, my savior!" - the girl sobbed and fell to her knees, begging to spare her life.

63

"So you didn't know that he asked you to steal from me, Lakshmi?!" - I asked. The girl raised her eyes full of such sadness and pain that my own heart ached with pity, and whispered that Murugan had only showed her the house and the window where she must break. "He didn't say the name, sahib. But even if he did, I still don't know the name of my savior!"

64

I was surprised that poor Murugan had gained such power in the capital of British India. When I left him a few years ago, it was poor and needy! We decided to postpone the search of other answers to the morning. Despite the outrage of Grantham, I ordered the release Lakshmi, and even put a few rupees in her hand quietly. The touch of her soft skin has burned me. Something was wrong with this girl: she was like a magnet that attracted me.

65

Grantham and I had to go to Delhi: where the construction of the railway, that we took part it, should start. However, I asked him to stay just for one day: I wanted to find Murugan and talk to him. We asked Mr. Bradley who might know where to find Murugan? He called a weird, dirty Indian, who, according to our host, knew everything that happened in Calcutta. When I told him that we were looking for Murugan, he answered with a sly smile.

66

The Hindu said he would contact my former servant and inform him that I needed his assistance in exchange for a few rupees. Grantham frowned: he clearly disapproved of my idea, but I couldn't care less. I paid the brazen heathen, and just an hour later we received a dinner invitation from Murugan. It bore both of our names despite the fact that during our last visit to India both Murugan and Robert felt extremely suspicious and clearly did not trust each other.

67

We arrived to Murugan's lavish manor. I couldn't help but feel surprised at the sudden change in his status. He graciously welcomed us the dining hall, and he looked a different person: the bright silks, the golden rings, the precious jewels completely changed him. His eyes blazed with pride, bravery and confidence. What happened to the frail and complaisant poor boy that I once knew?

68

«Are you amazed, Sahib?» - Murugan smiled kindly and invited us to partake of the magnificent feast. «I know that you cannot wait to hear my story, but it can wait. I am sure you will grow tired of it long before it ends. Please be seated and help yourself to the pleasures of the table, for we are not in a hurry». After we finished our meal, the servants poured tea, and Murugan finally agreed to satisfy our curiosity.

69

Murugan was the son of a merchant who did business with British entrepreneurs. Some time during the rebellion the sepoys branded his father as a traitor, murdered him and put his house to the torch. Murugan was pretending to be a pauper when he met me. Had he not donned the mask of poverty, the rebels would surely hound and kill him. «I was such a coward! I thought I'd rather live a safe and quiet life as your servant rather than go back, recover my father's wealth and be slain by the sepoys». Murugan said those words with a sly grin. After the revolt was suppressed he managed to return home, clear their family name and start a new profitable business.

70

Murugan sold glassware. When I asked him about Lakshmi, he seemed genuinely surprised. «I haven't seen this woman since the day we rescued her, sahib», - was his reply. He said she might have been a thief and suggested her coming to our house was little more than coincidence. «But she could have been sent by some kind of an ill-wisher, too. Have you got any enemies in India, sahib?», - asked the Hindu.

71

I said I was not aware of any people like that. I thought that Murugan gently nodded towards Grantham when he asked me about my enemies; my companion seldom spoke and showed remarkably little interest during our pleasant visit. I have always been dismayed by their mutual enmity. On that day, my vague suspicions about Grantham started to grow.

72

At the end of our visit we thanked Murugan for his kindness and hospitality. He promised to lend us a hand with getting to Delhi. «My elephants are the fastest and the gentlest beasts in all of Calcutta» - he smiled, and Robert shuddered. Suddenly I remembered how strongly my companion disliked riding these animals.

73

We immediately headed to Delhi to avoid losing any more time. Suddenly Grantham turned into a completely different person. Throughout the journey he was truly charming, made jokes, told stories and hadn't complained about the elephants even once. I was pleasantly surprised by this change of character but couldn't shake off the feeling he was hiding something and would try to hurt me given half a chance. Such poppycock!

74

As our journey went on, I couldn't get the thoughts about Lakshmi out of my head. Her visage haunted me. Washing my face in cold water at sunrise I saw the gleam of her savage eyes in the river's rippling surface, tasting the scent of wild honey I dreamt of the velvet touch of her dusky skin. Watching the gentle bobbing of lotus flowers in the waters of a forest stream brought to mind the folds of her flowing sari holding the shy girl in its strong silky embrace... And yet there was something ominous in her image, something malevolent. She was like an exotic flower whose petals concealed deadly, poisonous pollen.

75

On the way to Delhi we stopped by a tiny village. We needed a rest, so we rode in and were quickly invited to stay at a the house of a resident British merchant. He was most hospitable, and we were glad to relax after our tiring journey. During lunch Mr. Hadley, our gracious host, spoke at length about the changes that took place after the failed rebellion. Leaning in his chair, he saw fit to warn us: «I heard thugs - the stranglers, if you like - began to attack travelers again. Be vigilant on your journey!»

76

Mr. Hadley told us about the latest attacks and claimed thugs recently murdered a good number of itinerants, but Grantham rudely interrupted him. He called his words nonsense and stated that thugs had been completely eliminated almost half a century ago. «Just a few robberies do not signal the return of the cultists» - such was his reply to our magnanimous benefactor.

77

«They say some thugs are not above taking coin in exchange for killing people right out in the city streets!» - said our host. «Those ruffians aren't afraid of justice and keep making sacrifices to their heathen goddess. None of them would turn away an offer of gold!». At that point Robert suggested we change the subject. His persistence certainly did not escape my attention.

78

We arrived in Delhi and got started on Her Majesty's task. Both me and Grantham fully devoted ourselves to business. We chose to rent separate apartments when settling in. By that time I no longer considered Robert to be my friend, but sometimes he visited me and sometimes we had dinner together. His company was becoming ever more burdensome: sometimes I felt he was watching me, waiting for something.

79

I was about to conclude my business in India and began to prepare the return trip to England. One day I took a stroll down to the market to take my mind off things. Sometimes one could find genuine antiques wrapped in pieces of bright cloth among pottery, figurines, gaudy jewelry and all kinds of knickknacks. Besides, charming miss Harlow asked me to bring her something from India. «I dream of travelling around the world one day. It would be fascinating to see the way people live in other countries!», she would exclaim.

80

Of course, I wanted to bring her something unusual, something beautiful, something stunning. But I had to visit a lot of tents and wandered the merchant rows until I grew tired of the loud cries of the huckstresses, the carnival of scents and the cornucopia of colors. I found nothing and was just about to go home when a husky woman's voice drew my attention.

81

«Is sahib looking for something? Does sahib look for a gift?» Lakshmi. I sensed her presence before I could see her. It was like an assault of some unseen energy, like a pull of a merciless lasso. Her dark and sparkling eyes looked at me with... Mockery? No, it was a challenge. A bold woman can always challenge a man if she wants to trap him in her treacherous web. Lakshmi was selling oils, spices and incense. She insisted I try all of her merchandise.

82

I thought Lakshmi was laughing at me. «Try this, sahib! And this!» The abundance of strong scents, or perhaps her presence, made my head spin. In the end I bought a box of spices from her and made my leave. The savage girl smiled at me as I made my goodbyes, and I knew I would come to the bazaar again.

83

The next day I visited the road construction site, then came back home and made myself a cup of tea. It was fragrant and strong, and I closed my eyes to enjoy its rich taste. Suddenly an image of Lakshmi appeared in my mind's eye. It was so vivid I actually thought she might be standing next to me. I grew scared. Has the Indian temptress been trying to bewitch me? I resolved to never visit the bazaar again and attempted to dismiss the savage girl from my mind.

84

Eventually my resolve wavered. I dreamed of Lakshmi and saw her as the goddess she had been named after. Lakshmi was bathing in sunlight and blooming flowers. I understood I would never be free of her! The next day I took my breakfast and headed straight to the market. Lakshmi greeted me happily: she obviously knew I would come back. Trying to explain my new visit, I pretended to examine her merchandise and tried to strike up a conversation.

85

I asked her if she had a family. Lakshmi told me she lived alone, but had to look after her elderly mother and a sickly sibling. «I was about to get married, but my suitor died in the rebellion. I no longer know if I ever become anybody's wife». She cast her eyes down so humbly that I had to stifle a laugh. It was the cutest insincerely I had ever seen.

86

I had dinner with Grantham that day. He mentioned he had concluded his business in India. «As far as I'm aware, so have you. Shouldn't we go back to our home country?» I immediately thought about Lakshmi and her promising smile, the mystery in her sparkling eyes. I couldn't leave without solving the enigma of that savage girl. Why did she stir such conflicting emotions? I told him I had no plans of returning to England yet.

87

Grantham's reaction struck me as odd. He lost his temper and completely forgot about manners. He told me he knew a lying spice peddler was trying to charm me. He insisted I immediately depart for Calcutta since nobody knew what the devious savage had in mind. I grew so angry I couldn't even come up with a proper retort. He scolded me, an officer of the British army, like a petulant schoolchild.

88

I told Robert he could go to Calcutta whenever he wished, but I would stay, and asked him to stop telling me what to do. We spent a second glaring at each other, and then he left. Later I learned he also decided to stay in Delhi. By then I had little doubt he had been following me.

89

The next morning I went to the market to meet Lakshmi, but saw a little wrinkled old woman where the beautiful savage girl had usually stood. She peered at me through the bright folds of her headscarf as if she knew I would come, or what I would come for. I wanted to ask her about Lakshmi, but changed my mind and decided to go back home.

90

As the old woman rose, the countless bracelets on her skinny wrists began to jingle. She addressed me in a dialect of Hindi I couldn't recognize. I was about to ignore her and leave when I heard music. It was a whimsical melody accompanied by clapping and girls' laughter, so I stopped and turned around to listen.

91

The sounds were coming from the inside of a tent standing next to a dilapidated house. I tried to go in, but the old woman got in my way, chattering and waving her hands as if trying to stop me. I shooed away the obnoxious hag and walked though a doorway I could see through the folds. It was covered with a piece of worn-out beaded cloth, swaying and in the wind and beckoning to me.

92

The sounds grew louder, and the air grew denser with delightful scents of cinnamon and sandalwood. I brushed the cloth aside and saw light and movement at the end of a dark corridor. I crossed it and entered a small windowless room lit by numerous candles.

93

There were several girls in the room. One of them was playing a bansuri, the other drummed a little kanjira against the palm of her dusky hand. Another girl reclined against a wall next to a large incense-burner, holding her luxurious hair above the tangy smoke to infuse it with otherworldly aromas. A few more girls sat on the floor, clapping and singing for the beautiful dancer in front of them. I recognized Lakshmi.

94

She whirled around, thrusting up her delicate hands. A gentle smile graced her face, some of her hair escaped from a tightly-woven braid and shimmered around her like a myriad of silken ribbons. It was a dance of youthfulness, a dance of womanhood. I feasted my eyes on her, enjoying the delicate movements of her tawny arms... She lifted her left arm, embraced her graceful waist with the other, raised the remaining two arms over her head... I recoiled in shock. Lakshmi's smile transformed into a morbid grin on a hideous blue face. She kept on dancing, but I no longer saw a beautiful savage girl, I saw Kali instead. I choked on a scream of terror.

95

They finally noticed me. The music stopped, the dancer froze. It was Lakshmi again. She gave a quiet laugh, as if she knew who had been dancing in front of me. The girls started to shout, rose and pushed me out of the room, screaming and pulling my hair like a flock of malicious birds.

96

I staggered home, but Lakshmi caught up with me. She stood on her toes and whispered: «In Jumna's Palm at midnight». Her cinnamon breath scalded my skin. The savage girl disappeared in her tent as I blinked in complete bewilderment. Have I just been invited to a date? I didn't know what to make of mysterious Lakshmi who enticed and repulsed me at the same time, but I knew I wouldn't miss this fortuitous meeting.

97

I made my way back, unable to think of anything other than Lakshmi. It was almost dinnertime, and Grantham was waiting for me in my room. By that time I had made inquiries but failed to learn anything interesting or suspicious about him. While we were eating, a servant brought me a letter from Murugan. My old friend was about to arrive to Delhi and wanted to see me. When Robert learned the news, he gritted his teeth and said nothing. I understood that he was not happy with this development.

98

I could barely wait for nightfall. By midnight I was down at the river. The spot locals called Jumna's Palm was hidden beneath a green canopy of whispering leaves on a narrow river bank where nature created a perfect place for the star-crossed lovers to meet. I climbed down an earthy bank and approached the dewy foliage.

99

Something rustled under my feet. When I picked up the item I had stepped on and brought it to a ray of moonlight, I recognized Lakshmi's sari. «Sahib!» She had been waiting for me! I pulled the curtain of leaves aside, and my eyes fell on the owner of the discarded garment. The mysteries grew silent, the shackles broke and the time itself stopped for me.