CO^^BUCTOBS AND THBIE WIVES, 
been a-missing for the last two days, was concealed 
in the jungle’ ‘WHio had hid her there?' and he 
looked sternly at master ’ it was quite evident the 
man was jealous. Now when the green-eyed monster 
possesses a man, it is no use at ail attempting to 
reason matters or explain anything. One may say or 
swear anything, but the jealous man will never believe 
you ; in fact, it may be, that just when you have 
considei’ed, you have given such ample proof of your 
innocence as to admit of no manner of doubt, the 
jealous man goes away more thoroughly impressed 
than ever he was, of your guilt 3 Before the day 
W'as over, the report had spread all over the estate, 
^“That Master had hid the Conductor’s wife in the 
jungle.'' What a nice bit of scandal and gossip for 
the coolies ; such a piece of news had not occurred 
for many a day* But this was not all, for was it 
not also, all duly reported, how, when the Conductor 
went to the bungalow to inquire about his runaway 
wife, he was in danger of being beaten, and was 
threatened with his discharge, and besides a great 
many other silly reports were rife, so that it became 
quite evident some decisive investigation was necessary, 
in order to clear the master’s character, and resume 
good discipline, peace, and order on the estate. It 
was rather a trying position for the master, because 
it presented the altogether unusual one, of the sup- 
posed culprit, or the accused, having also to assume 
the position of judge and jury ! The Master, after 
full consideration, came to the conclusion, that where 
there is plenty of smoke, there must be some fire, 
and the first thing to be done, was to find out the 
original cause of the rumour, that the conductor’s 
wife was bid in the jungle, and the report was found 
to be this. One of the junior kanganies, was observed, 
whenever he thought he was not observed, to dis- 
appear into the jungle, taking with him, a quantity 
of rice tied up in a cloth, and a small tin case of 
•curry. Now the kangani himself before doing this, 
always ate his own rice, so that this supply must 
be foi* some one in the jungle, who wished to be 
secret, and as there was nobody else missing from the 
estate, it was surmised, and said, that the Conductor’s 
wife was hidden in the jungle, the master now, has 
got his cue, some thing to work upon, and secret 
orders are given to watch and mark well the spot^ 
where this very mysterious kanganie enters the jungle. 
This in due course is done, and all reported to master. 
There can be no doubt about it, he always enters, 
just close where that tall keena tree stands, with the 
yellow back. The next day, after all the coolies are 
settled at work;, Master calls the conductor,, to come 
