In the Shadow of a Dream (32 page)

‘That’s plan A. Is there a plan B?’

‘Afraid not. I wasn’t joking when I said that the place is a prison, a labyrinth of ups and downs and winding archways; some leading nowhere. The garden barely has a bush to cover any movement. The walls are six to eight feet high and patrolled by two Pathans—I thought there was only one but Dinesh discovered a second the other day. I’ve told Dinesh, if anything goes wrong, at the risk of losing his life, (which in any case is forfeit), to make a dash for it, by smashing the office window that overlooks the bus station; and shout for help till his lungs burst.’

‘And what about poor Ransingh?’

‘Ah, there I have good news. I went back to see the Seth—flattery catches him off his guard. I said, I hoped Dinesh and Shanti would soon settle down to a renewed family life, and as I don’t intend coming again, I would deem it a great favour if he would give me a letter, signed by him and witnessed by his Munshi, dropping all the charges against Ransingh, so that the man can be freed from prison. Chopra himself had drafted the letter and I dictated it to the Munshi, who typed it out.’

‘Give it to Mohan Singh. He’s greatly respected by the powers that be.’

‘I will, Kitty, but there’s a rat at the bottom of the tankard. The Seth signed it, but next moment, dusted his hands saying he had done his bit, but that he was not to be held responsible for what may happen to Ransingh once out of prison. That put me on my guard. There was no reason for him to say it unless he has arranged foul play.’

‘So what do you intend to do?’

‘Hand the letter to Mohan, get Ransingh released, but tell him to wait till I collect him from prison in my car, our car. I’ll drive him to his village or a station en route.’

‘I’ll come too. I’m fond of Ransingh. I want him to know how sorry I’m about Sona. A horrid way for anyone to die! Tell me in time so I can take time off.’

‘Unwise. You mustn’t be seen in Pathankot. It is a bore, but it’s not long now. In less than two months we’ll leave all this behind.’

Chapter Sixteen
 

‘S
alaam
, sahib.’

‘Hello, Lal Singh. Memsahiba?’

‘
Jee Ha!
In kitchen, sir.’

Dusty entered the kitchen. ‘Ah, there you are, my little kitten.’

‘Gosh, Dusty, I didn’t need a driver and two soldiers to protect me.’

‘Better safe than sorry.’

‘Being Sunday, the train was late. Did it go well?’

‘Couldn’t have gone better. When I got to the prison at 8.30, Mohan Singh was already there—I don’t know how these Sikhs tie their beards and turbans so neatly, they must spend hours—anyway, there he was with Ransingh by his side. Mohan was quite in his element. He may be a “shorty” but he’s also a Napoleon.’

‘How was Ransingh?’

‘Just as you described him. They make quite a pair. Ransingh calm, philosophical and Mohan cocky, greeting me with smiling grey eyes. I gave Ransingh your message, and told him how much you wanted to come, but that it would have meant catching a train that got in at midnight. Anyway, he said it’s no place for a lady.’

‘Ah, the sweet man!’ Kitty sighed. ‘I was worried. You’ve taken the whole day.’

‘Yes. But it’s over now. One part of the problem is solved. We managed to drive down to Saharanpur, sixty-four miles from here. Ransingh is now on the train, with his son—I picked up Vijay on the way—and saw them off on the train to Ranikhet.’

‘So now, the tricky bit. Nothing must go wrong.’ She shivered. ‘How are you going to tell…That reminds me, I’ve got news too. Good news. I have had a cable from Dad. Alice has had the baby, Dinesh has a son. But, I don’t think you should tell him. In the excitement of being a father, he might betray himself.’

‘I’ll save it till I see him on Wednesday, when I tell him about Ransingh. ‘I’ll phone the Munshi tomorrow. Don’t breathe a word of this, but Dinesh and I have worked out a ruse. I tell the Munshi I’m coming over on Thursday to see Dinesh, when in fact I’ve arranged for him to be picked up on Wednesday. That gives Dinesh ample time to warn the old mali to prepare to smuggle him out.’

Dusty did just that; and the Munshi duly conveyed his message to Dinesh. But on Wednesday, at six in the evening, Kadam, the driver of the water-carrier returned to Dusty’s bungalow. ‘No one there, sahib, no one. Three o’clock, waited. Then I go I also phive o’clock. Nothing. Nobody.’

‘Good Lord, you heard that, Kitty? I’ll have to go there tomorrow.’

‘Are you mad! Something terribly serious has happened. From what you’ve told me about Ayub, the Pathan sentry, Dinesh could have been caught, even killed.’

‘But, I have to find out.’

‘Find out on the phone. You’ll get some idea from the Munshi. But I suppose, you won’t take a blind bit of notice of anything I say. You never do. Things always have to be…always exactly as you…’

‘Kitty, Kitty, get a hold of yourself. Remember, there’s a soldier present.’

‘I don’t care. I don’t want you taking risks. As Dinesh’s friend, you’re suspect. If you must go, arm yourself. Take a gun.’

‘In peace time? I wouldn’t get permission.’

The Gurkha soldier saluted. ‘Take soldier with you, sahib.’

Dusty returned his salute, ‘
Shabash
, Kadam Bahadur.
Bahut achcha
. Okay I think about that.’ He looked at his watch. ‘You go to
langar.
Have your evening meal.’

He watched the soldier leave, then turned to Kitty. ‘Don’t worry, I won’t go. I’ll phone tomorrow. It’s too late now. There now, can I claim my reward?’

‘Reward? Oh, that. How could you at a time like this?’

Dusty put down the telephone receiver and stared at Kitty. The look on his face was new to her. Her eyes widened with alarm. ‘Dusty! What on earth is the matter?’

‘He’s disappeared! He’s nowhere to be seen.’

‘Dinesh?’

‘Yes. There’s complete pandemonium at Ram Niwas. Shanti’s screaming, Agarwal shouting and a hastily organised search party is frantically scouring every nook and cranny of that rambling house. “What to say, esteemed Major sahib, Master Dinesh has vanished into air, as it were, thin air” to quote the Munshi.’

‘What are you going to do?’

‘I could go there. Appear as surprised as anyone else. They’ll have to believe I had nothing to do with his disappearance…which is true.’

‘No, Dusty, or before you do, please find out more. Speak to the Munshi again.’

‘The Munshi is abnormally reticent. He hung up with “there is nothing more I can say except that the Seth’s posh car, his Mercedes, is missing also.’

‘Where was the driver? And who would dare nick Agarwal’s car? And what about the mali? You said the mali had a plan to help Dinesh. He may have managed to smuggle Dinesh out of Ram Niwas…but then you can’t ask…’

‘Yes, it would betray the mali…his involvement. But there is no other option. I have to ask.’ Dusty dialled, waited. “Munshiji, Major Dustoor. Have they checked with the mali? He may know something or seen something.”’ There was a hum on the line and a moment later Dusty slammed the receiver down and threw up his hands. ‘It gets more strange. The mali was found dead early this morning and, this afternoon, in the pandemonium of his funeral arrangements, both Dinesh and Seth’s car have vanished. The Seth is suffering a rush of apoplexy.’

Kitty frowned. Dusty shook his head and smiled enigmatically. ‘Tell me?’ She said.

‘Kitty, I think the Munshi knows more than he’s letting on.

‘Dusty, what are we going to do? Poor Alice. What are we going to say to her?’

‘Wait a day or two. I had phoned the Munshi to say I was coming over on Thursday. That, as you know, was to mislead him, because my man was to collect him on Wednesday. So, my turning up on Thursday would establish my having nothing to do with his disappearance. We’ll wait till Saturday. Wherever Dinesh is, he’ll try to get in touch, when he can.’

‘And if he’s dead? No one is going to tell us if he is. They would want to keep that a secret. Why would they let on?’

‘I must inform Viks and Brigadier Chopra. And if there is still no news, I’ll get on to the police. We should learn something in a day or two.’

And learn they did, on Saturday night, from none other than Alice herself. Dinesh was safe and sound in Ludlow, England…the cable promised full details in a letter that Ted will be posting. And the news got better with every new message from England.

‘Dusty, as you know, Dad’s marrying Kay, Alice’s mother. I’m happy for him. Kay is a lovely person…and Dinesh is marrying Alice. It will be a double wedding.’

‘Hold your horses, Kitty. Let me get the picture. I know Ted, your father. I’ve seen Dinesh. Alice met Dinesh in Goa, they became lovers and now she is the mother of his son, Davy. Kay and Alice are mother and daughter. Through Dinesh your father met Kay. And now that the whole group are united, there’s to be a joint celebratory wedding. Is Alice younger than you?’

‘Yes. Not much; and between Dad and Kay, the age difference is just a little more than between you and me. So there’s nothing scandalous about that.’

‘I didn’t imply there was. Your father is fit, handsome, and good to be with. He’s retired now, but he must have been an excellent doctor. When is the happy event?’

‘A month from now. I’m going. I mean we. We must go. I want to see dad happy, O Dusty! If only you knew how heartless my mother was to him!’

‘That will be Mabel? Yes, you’ve told me. A cold fish, I gather. I’m glad you didn’t take after her. I’ve never liked fish. I’m a meat and two veg man.’

‘Be serious, Dusty. She wasn’t all that…well, cold…but let’s not go there. Let’s not spoil the good news. We are going. Chops will give you leave. He’ll surely let you go. Your time’s all but done here.’

‘These things are not done locally. Besides, I’m about to move our goods and chattels to a warehouse in Delhi. We then travel South to the Nilgiri Hills, to buy that abandoned school I told you about. We’ve planned it all. You were so keen to see the place. And you’ll love the hills.’

‘Yes, but we can do both. We’ll go to Delhi. Leave our stuff—it’s not much—then see this place. If you’ve chosen it, I’m sure to love it. Then to England, for a fortnight’s break?’

‘I can’t.’

‘O please, please, darling. Please! What d’you mean, I?’