Thoughtfully the inspector continued, “There is something more to this case than that which appears on the surface. I can’t place it, for this fellow is as deep as the sea. | have a feeling this is more than an ordinary killing. “J still think he’s just a stupid English- hating mockmoot.’ The sergeant glared at the prisoner. The inspector and the sergeant didn't notice the blue of the sky, or the dazzling sun on the Monday morning they entered the courtroom. They appeared more like two defendants than two prominent of- ficers of the British Indian Police. The formalities were soon concluded. The lack of witnesses for the Crown sped up the case. Inspector Leighton gave a brief outline of the arrest, carefully omit- ting any reference to the altercations be- tween Sergeant MacDonald and the EBY'S HARDWARE SHELF AND HEAVY HARDWARE 5 to 25 Cent Department DRY GOODS SMITHERS B.C. LEACH BROS. HERB BILL ARCHIE GROCERIES and PROVISIONS FRESH FRUITS and VEGETABLES *% SMITHERS, B.C. HOSKINS’ GARAGE Ford & Monarch Sales and Service GAS and OIL ‘AAA EMERGENCY SERVICE ACETYLENE WELDING GENERAL BLACKSMITHING FORD SALES and SERVICE SMITHERS, British Columbia | | | Licensed Premises ® SMITHERS THE McRAE HOTEL Martin Peterson and Gus Mogdan, Proprietors Running Hot and Cold Water | BRITISH COLUMBIA Hindu. The sergeant dutifully followed his lead. But each felt they were merely delaying the inevitable blow that was sure to follow the Hindu’s testimony. At last that moment arrived. The pris- oner was led to the dock. The inspector and the sergeant steeled themselves for his first words. The defence attorney rose from his seat and cleared his throat. “Ahmed Kamir,” the Hindu’s lawyer said, “you have pleaded guilty to justi- fiable homicide. Is that correct ?” The prisoner nodded in the affirmative. “Will you please tell the court why you consider your act jutified.” The de- fence attorney seemed strangely confident as he sat down. “Honourable sir,’ the Hindu bowed as he addressed the solemn judge on the raised dais before him, “I was returning from Howrah, where I had been to col- lect rentals on my father’s lands. I had with me some eighteen-hundred rupees and fourteen annas. I was walking through a grove of trees when I was set upon and beaten by the man who is now dead. I was beaten until I was about to die. When I was about to die I drew my knife and in a last effort not to die I defended myself. Honourable sir, you will see by these terrible wounds how he had beaten me near to death.” The clock behind the judge’s bench ticked loudly. A huge green bottlefly audibly butted against the window screen. On the witness bench Inpector Leighton and Sergeant MacDonald sat as if frozen, their faces reflecting their astonishment. “Inspector! Is this true?” The judge's question broke the spell. “Jnspector!” Slowly rising from his seat the inspect- or cleared his throat with an effort as he answered in a hollow defeated voice, “Yes, your honour.” “Then why. didn’t you so inform the court in your testimony?” The judge was evidently irritated that this apparently open and shut case of justifiable homicide had taken up so much of his time. The inspector squared his shoulders and managed to smile weakly before ex- plaining, “I wanted him to tell it in his own way.” And across the space of the courtroom the clear, steel-blue eyes of England flash- ed a new understanding tribute to the mysterious, ebony-black eyes of India. HOTEL HUDSON | J. W. WATSON, Proprietor | } | | We Invite the Patronage of All | Travelling People Hot and Cold Water LICENSED PREMISES | SMITHERS British Columbia | SMITHERS BAKERY BREAD PIES CAKES and All Kinds of Pastries e Smithers, B.C. SMITHERS GARAGE & ELECTRIC General Motors Dealers Chevrolet Specialists Chevrolet “THE CHOICE OF THE FORCE” Smithers, B.C. Telkwallotel C. P. BUSSINGER, Prop. LICENSED PREMISES ® AIR CONDITIONED MODERN - “The Beauty Spot of the North” TELKWA B. C. MODERN, SMITHERS BULK Owned and Managed by Butchart & Tait A HOME AWAY FROM HOME WTH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER ine» in eae LEY HOTEL STEAM HEATED LICENSED PREMISES BRITISH COLUMBIA EIGHTEENTH EDITION Page One Hundred and Twenty-five