house-breakers that one of the perpetrators of the crime should make the first entrance, and if the coast is clear, inform his fellows of it, either by some signs from inside, or by coming out, at the same time carrying away anything within his reach. Acting according to their code, but unwilling to risk themselves, the house-breakers in question induced Padma to make the first entrance, telling him at the same time to bring away with him the most valuable things he could lay hands on, the most valuable thing probably being the heaviest thing within reach. He entered the room into which the hole led, and finding nobody there, commenced seeking something heavy, with which he might return to his companions. He found a curry-stone, one of the heaviest things in a Bengali's house, and so he took this and went out with it as if it were precious booty. The thieves laughed at his stupidity, and sent him a second time through the hole, telling him that the most valuable things in a cottage like the one before them were not only heavy, but sonorous also, meaning thereby brass or bell-metal utensils. He waited for no further instructions, and hopeful of success went back into the room, where in a corner he found something large and heavy, and to see if it gave any sound, he commenced beating it with his palm. It was a drum and it gave forth its Chatak, chatak, taktaksin sound so loud through the whole house, that the inmates were awakened. Startled, they lit their lamps, and entered the room where they beheld the novice in theft playing on the drum in great glee. Asked who he was, and why he was there in that position, he made a clean breast of everything. Some strong male members of the family opened the outer door, in order to apprehend the robbers, but none of them were to be found, for they had all decamped at the first sign of danger. The poor weaver looked blank, and the men were disposed to let him off. They offered to take him home, but he did not consent, for fear that, as he was a Dano, his presence would bring pollution to his house, and
