"I then determined to kill his daughter.It was the night of my enemy's burial.The Sahibah was alone in the house and was intending to leave it that night.I knew she would see that everything was securely fastened before she went away, and so, when I opened one of the windows, I was sure she would come to close it.Crouching down outside I awaited her approach, intending to spring up and stab her while she was pulling the window down.Everything happened as I planned - what ails the Sahib? I did not kill her! No, at the last moment something - never mind what - stayed my arm! The death of an innocent girl did not promise me any lasting satisfaction and I gave up the idea, returned to New York, and re- embarked for Bombay as innocent in act as when I left it.My life had been a failure and I had no desire to prolong it.When you arrested me on the charge of murder, nothing would have given me greater pleasure than to have been able to plead guilty.
"You already know why I so hated Darrow.He robbed me of the only woman I ever loved.Maddened by jealousy, I told her I had thrown him into the well in the cave here.It was a lie, but she believed it, and fled from me, and in a few minutes had thrown herself into that bottomless hole.See, Sahib," he said, entering the cave and pointing down the dark shaft, - "that is the road she took in order that her bones might rest with his, and, after all, they are thousands of miles apart.It's not the triumph Iplanned, but it's all I have! And this is why I brought you here; that you may take back to my enemy's family the knowledge that in death I am triumphant.Tell them," he said, rising to his full height, "that while the carcass of the English cur rots in a foreign land, Rama Ragobah's bones lie mingled with those of his beautiful Lona!" - My blood was up, and I rushed fiercely at him.With the quickness of a cat he dodged me, spat in my face as I turned, and, with a horrible laugh, sprang headlong into the well.Down deeper and deeper sank the laugh - then it died away - then a faint plash - and all was silent.Rama Ragobah was gone! For fully ten minutes I stood dazed and irresolute and then returned mechanically to the house.I at first thought of informing the authorities of the whole affair, but, when I realised how hard it would be for me to prove my innocence were I charged with Ragobah's murder, I decided to keep the secret of the well.
I shudder when I think of Miss Darrow's narrow escape.Did you suspect who her assailant really was? I wonder you have written me nothing about it, but suppose you thought it would only needlessly alarm me.If you had known it was our friend Ragobah, you would doubtless have felt it imperative that I should know of it, - so I conclude from your silence that you did not discover his identity.
