SUPERINTENDENT. [_To one of the_ CONSTABLES.
Well, Jánuka, the rascal emits such a fishy odour that I have no doubt of his being a fisherman; but we must inquire a little more closely into this queer story about the finding of the ring. Come, we'll take him before the King's household.
Very good, master. Get on with you, you cutpurse.
Now attend, Súchaka; keep your guard here at the gate; and hark ye, sirrahs, take good care your prisoner does not escape, while I go in and lay the whole story of the discovery of this ring before the King in person. I will soon return and let you know his commands.
Go in, master, by all means; and may you find favour in the King's sight.
I say, Jánuka, the Superintendent is a long time away.
Aye, aye; kings are not to be got at so easily. Folks must bide the proper opportunity.
Jánuka, my fingers itch to strike the first blow at this royal victim here. We must kill him with all the honours, you know. I long to begin binding the flowers round his head[88].
[_Pretends to strike a blow at the_ FISHERMAN.
Your Honour surely will not put an innocent man to a cruel death.
There's our Superintendent at last, I declare. See! he is coming towards us with a paper in his hand. We shall soon know the King's command; so prepare, my fine fellow, either to become food for the vultures, or to make acquaintance with some hungry cur.
Ho, there, Súchaka! set the fisherman at liberty, I tell you. His story about the ring is all correct. SÚCHAKA.
The fellow had one foot in hell, and now here he is in the land of the living.
Now, master, what think you of my way of getting a livelihood?
Here, my good man, the King desired me to present you with this purse. It contains a sum of money equal to the full value of the ring.
You may well say so. He might as well have taken you from the gallows to seat you on his state elephant.
Master, the King must value the ring very highly, or he would never have sent such a sum of money to this ragamuffin.
I don't think he prizes it as a costly jewel so much as a memorial of some person he tenderly loves. The moment it was shown to him he became much agitated, though in general he conceals his feelings. SÚCHAKA.
Then you must have done a great service--