chap. xv AN EFFICIENT KAZI 55
the
death of Boete, the apothecary, and the room where I had left him had
been sealed with two seals—one that of the Kazi, who corresponds to the
Chief Justice, and the other that of the Shahbandar, who is the Provost
of the merchants. An officer of justice watched the door of the chamber
together with the servants whom I had left with the deceased.
Immediately on my arrival the fact was announced to the Kazi and the
Shahbandar, and forthwith they sent for me.
After
I had saluted them, the Kazi asked me whether the money which was in
the chamber of the deceased was mine, and how I could prove it. I said
I had no better proof to show him than the letters of exchange which I
had given to the Shroff, and that since my departure he had by my
orders paid the sum to the deceased ; that I had instructed the latter
in case the Shroff paid in silver to change it into golden pagodas, and
forward them to me. Upon this reply, they sent to call the two Shroffs
who had paid my bills, to know if it was true, and as they agreed that
it was, the Kazi forthwith ordered his lieutenant to open the door of
the room, and see if the seals were intact on all the bags. He did not
leave till he had my assurance that I had found the full sum, and that
nothing was wanting. I returned with him to make the same declaration
to the Kazi and the Shahbandar, and to thank them for their trouble,
and it ended by my signing a document which they had written in
Persian, in which I testified my satisfaction.
The
lieutenant told me that I must pay the charges of the burial of Boete,
those due to the persons who had placed the seals, and to the officer
who had kept guard at the door of the chamber. These all amounted to
but 9 rupees, or 4-1/2 ecus of our money.1 One would not have got off so easily in most places in Europe.2
» i.e. £1 Os. Zd.
* The story gives the impression that the affairs of the Local Government were well administered.
