he rajah's scornful treatment, he
sprang upon the rajah with a knife, but, fortunately, was seized and
disarmed. To his unspeakable dismay the rajah sentenced him for this
offence to suffer amputation of the remaining arm. It was done as in
the former instance. This had the effect of putting a temporary curb on
Neranya's spirit, or, rather, of changing the outward manifestations of
his diabolism. Being armless, he was at first largely at the mercy of
those who ministered to his needs,--a duty which I undertook to see was
properly discharged, for I felt an interest in this strangely distorted
nature. His sense of helplessness, combined with a damnable scheme for
revenge which he had secretly formed, caused Neranya to change his
fierce, impetuous, and unruly conduct into a smooth, quiet, insinuating
bearing, which he carried so artfully as to deceive those with whom he
was brought in contact, including the rajah himself.

Neranya, being exceedingly quick, intelligent, and dexterous, and
having an unconquerable will, turned his attention to the cultivating
of an enlarged usefulness of his legs, feet, and toes, with so
excellent effect that in time he was able to perform wonderful feats
with those members. Thus his capability, especially for destructive
mischief, was considerably restored.

One morning the rajah's only son, a young man of an uncommonly amiable
and noble disposition, was found dead in bed. His murder was a most
atrocious one, his body being mutilated in a shocking manner, but in my
eyes the most significant of all the mutilations was the entire removal
and disappearance of the young prince's arms.

The death of the young man nearly brought the rajah to the grave. It
was not, therefore, until I had nursed him back to health that I began
a systematic inquiry into the murder. I said nothing of my own
discoveries and conclusions until after the rajah and his officers had
failed and my work had been done; then I submitted to him a written
report, making a close analysis of all the circumstances and closing by
charging the crime to Neranya. The rajah, convinced by my proof and
argument, at once ordered Neranya to be put to death, this to be
accomplished slowly and with frightful tortures. The sentence was so
cruel and revolting that it filled me with horror, and I implored that
the wretch be shot. Finally, through a sense of gratitude to me, the
rajah relaxed. When Neranya was charged with the crime he denied it