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XXXVIII
THE CANNIBAL
As soon as Anand came to know that the cook had been arrested and imprisoned, he ran away from Ayodhya. Sodas was in great anxiety. He knew very well the nature of the Chief Minister, the people and of the other ministers. The cabinet of ministers would not hesitate to take any step in order to dispense justice. He thought it best to consult his friend, Anand regarding the perplexing predicament into which he had fallen. So, he sent a confidant to search for Anand; but Anand had already disappeared from Ayodhya. Even if he Ayodhya, would he come to meet Sodas ?
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The Chief Minister accompanied by the other ministers went in the dark night to the prison-house where the cook had been imprisoned.
"If you tell us the truth, we will not pass a sentence of death upon you; on the contrary, we will release you. But if you try to conceal the truth, we will send you to the gallows and nobody would be able to save you." The Chief Minister said sternly addressing the cook.
"Oh you lord of compassion! This is the truth. I am absolutely innocent".
"Then you tell us who compelled you to commit these enormities".
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