Bala Devi, Girl-Child Avatar - Book Two - Holiday in Kodaikanal

Chapter Seventeen - Secret Passage

Chapter Seventeen

Secret Passage

The very next day, the school bus took the Sunflower girls and Adiamma. Back to Bangalore. Trishul, Syama

Walk to see the big Grey-house which they had bought. Uma, and Gopal joined them there on horse-back. They drove in

alighting from the car. The watchman, who was on duty, had unlocked the gates and l

He looked unhappy.

“Welcome,” he said, folding his hands in a salute. “You’re Judge Sharma, is it?” “Yes, I’m the new owner.”

“Yes, yes, it’s a beautiful old house, but it would cost a fortune to make i

probably make money simply reselling it again, since you bought it so cheaply.”

“Could we see we see our house?” asked Syamala, so

“Why, of course, Madam, you come in and see. I’ll show you around mysel

“Not necessary, we can find our way,” said Trishul. “No problem,” said the watchman. “Just park your car over there, please.”

The great carved double-doors led into a grand lobby with a cathedral ceiling. W

wanted to open a few doors, to see into the rooms, the watchman was visibly nervous. “And, off the patio is the

“Oh, how beautiful it is, so ma

been taking care of the roses.” “My wife,” said the wa

Just then, an enormous blue and red lizard leapt of the porch and scurried away. It must

been at least three feet long.

“What a beautiful lizard,” cried Bala. “Hous

“Mercy,” said Granny, “Click, click.”

Trishul led them back again into the house. “Could we see the upstairs?” asked Syamala.

“Of course, Madam. The ma

upstairs, and then downstairs is the conservatory and over the back verandah is the ball-room.”

“Ball-room,” giggled Bala.

“Of course, Miss, the house was originally built by the British Raj for their Governor.” “Do you mind if we see the rooms instead of merr64

“Well, actually,” the man said, looking terribly frightened, “you might as well know the truth, Sir. You see, ah, this nearby goldfield which has recently sprung-up here on the mountain, has changed things a bit. You can see the goldfield here from the verandah.”

“I’ve seen it,” said Trishul.

“Then you know that many people are digging all around.”

“I know.”

“Well, Sir, this has caused great confusion.”

“In what way? Has the Government started the mining operation?”

“No! You see the Government doesn’t have the equipment to start with. I hear they are thinking of auctioning off leases for small plots and allowing the public to mine for the gold. That is to prevent the wholesale robbery of the gold, which, it seems, is going on now.”

“Very good idea. I may bid myself,” said Trishul.

“You are interested in gold, Sir?” asked the watchman.